Harry Kewell: From the magical night in Istanbul to the effort to prove his coaching ability

Having won the Champions League with Liverpool during the legendary Istanbul night 20 years ago, Harry Kewell was expected to shine as a coach. However, the coaching career of this Australian legend has yet to make significant highlights.

Harry Kewell was once a major icon in Australian football. Wearing the jerseys of Leeds United and especially Liverpool, he proved his talent as a winger, contributing greatly to many achievements. The peak of Kewell’s playing career was winning the 2005 Champions League with the “Red Brigade,” a milestone that made him a source of pride for fans from down under.

However, that glory seemed not to follow Kewell into his coaching career. His start was linked to lower-tier English clubs such as Barnet, Oldham Athletic, and Notts County. These clubs were not prestigious enough to serve as stepping stones, and in reality, Kewell did not achieve any remarkable results. His career in England was frequently interrupted by poor outcomes and ended prematurely in disappointment.

One of the rare chances for Kewell to engage with top-level football was his three-year period as an assistant at Celtic (2021-2023). Despite working in an ambitious environment with a solid foundation, he still failed to leave a clear mark. This period only raised more doubts among experts about the former star’s true capability as a coach.

The biggest highlight in Kewell’s coaching career came when he was appointed head coach of Yokohama F. Marinos at the beginning of 2024, a top J.League club regularly competing on the continental stage. This was seen as a golden opportunity for Kewell to prove his worth. However, all expectations quickly faded: after just over six months, he was dismissed due to poor performance, losing 12 out of 33 matches in charge.

Harry Kewell’s coaching career is thus considered difficult and unremarkable, completely contrasting with his brilliant playing days. While his legacy on the pitch is still proudly remembered, especially the moment lifting the 2005 Champions League trophy with Liverpool, on the sidelines, Kewell is still searching for a position to demonstrate his coaching talent.