Another Auckland FC star departs as wait for new coach continues

<p>Another of Auckland FC's star players has left, with the club yet to announce a new manager just days out from its pre-season clash with Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur. </p> <p>In a statement this morning, the club confirmed Belgian midfielder Louis Verstratte would depart the club "for personal and family reasons". He would be moving back to his home country. </p> <p>Verstratte joined the club in its inaugural season and was a regular face in the starting 11. His physical style and high work rate earned him a reputation as a dominant force on the pitch, and he quickly became a fan favourite. </p> <p>Following the club's recent championship-winning season, Verstratte was awarded the club's MVP and was named in the PFA Team of the Season. </p> <p>His departure comes amid a string of farewells the club has made since winning the championship, including other fan favourites Dan Hall and Guillermo May. Loan player Jake Girdwood-Reich, who Auckland had discussed keeping, recently signed for Scotland's Motherwell FC, joining former goalkeeper Alex Paulsen. Breakout star Jesse Randall has also left, moving to Dundee United in Scotland and debuting over the weekend. </p> <p>The club has been looking to cut back its spend as it brings its budget within salary cap regulations it was exempt from in its first two seasons. </p> <p>The announcement comes less than six days out from <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/03/30/tottenham-hotspur-to-face-auckland-fc-at-eden-park/" target="_blank">Auckland's game against Tottenham Hotspur</a> at Eden Park on Sunday.</p> <p>With the first kick just days away, Auckland FC is yet to confirm it has found a manager to replace previous head coach Steve Corica. <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/06/19/auckland-fcs-title-winning-coach-steve-corica-leaves-club/" target="_blank">Corica left the club in June</a> to coach Yokohama F. Marinos, one of the most successful sides in Japan's J-League.</p> <p>Chief Executive Nick Becker has said that the club intended to have a new coach in place before this weekend's game.</p> <p>According to RNZ and NZ Herald last week, Auckland FC director of football Terry McFlynn said a preferred candidate had been found and was in front of club chair Bill Foley for a sign-off. </p> <p>He said the club had interviewed candidates and thought "we've landed on the right person to take us forward".</p> <p>The club has also managed to make some signings, <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/06/24/auckland-fc-signs-all-whites-midfielder-search-ongoing-for-new-coach/" target="_blank">with All White Lauchlan Bayliss joining the team</a> after a trophy season with the Newcastle Jets. <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/06/06/grand-final-hero-cam-howieson-commits-to-future-at-auckland-fc/" target="_blank">Midfielders Cam Howeison</a> and Felipe Gallegos have extended their contracts, alongside goalkeeper Michael Woud. </p> <p>Defender Ronan Wynne and Norwegian midfielder Daniel Normann have been called up from Auckland's OFC Pro League side. </p> <p>Bailey Ferguson, Van Fitzharris, and Isa Prins – some of Auckland's scholarship players – were also called up to the first team. </p> <p><b>Watch Auckland FC vs Tottenham Hotspur live and free on </b><a href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/sport/football" target="_blank"><b>TVNZ+</b></a><b> and TVNZ 2 from 2.30pm on Sunday July 26</b></p>