Paul Posa

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Paul Posa
Personal information
Full name Paul Posa
Date of birth (1961-10-24) 24 October 1961 (age 64)
Place of birth Otematata, New Zealand [1]
Youth career
Henderson
Eden
Blockhouse Bay
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
University
Lynndale
Central United
Managerial career
Central United
2008–2009 Auckland City (caretaker)
2009–2010 Auckland City
2024 Central United
2025 Auckland City
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Paul Posa (born 24 October 1961) is a New Zealand association football manager who most recently managed New Zealand National League club Auckland City.

Contents

Club career

Born in Otematata, Posa moved to Auckland with his family where he started playing football for Henderson. Posa also played for Eden and Blockhouse Bay at youth level. At senior level, Posa played for University, Lynndale and Central United. [1]

Coaching career

Central United

Between 1992 and 2000, Posa had various spells as head coach and assistant to Kevin Fallon and Ricki Herbert. [1]

Auckland City

On 10 December 2008, Auckland City announced Posa would be their caretaker manager until the New Year, after previously coaching youth football at Central United. [2] In January 2009, it was announced Posa would stay on until the end of the season. [1]

In May 2009, Posa announced he would step down from his role at Auckland City following the 2008–09 OFC Champions League final. [3]

In September 2009, it was announced that Posa had become permanent head coach of Auckland City following a caretaker spell. [4] [5]

Return to Central United

Posa spent a few seasons as head coach of Central United before returning to Auckland City. [6]

Return to Auckland City

On 22 January 2025, Auckland City announced Posa would return for his second stint for the 2025 season. [7] [8]

Before heading off to the United States for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, City announced that Posa would miss the start of the tournament due to personal reasons. [9] After missing the opening game due to a 'minor surgical procedure', Posa returned for the second group game against Benfica. [10] [11] On 24 June 2025, Posa managed City to a historic 1–1 draw with Argentine side Boca Juniors. [12] This was their first non-defeated result since the 2014 edition. [13] [14]

At the conclusion of the 2025 season, Posa stepped down from his role at Auckland City. [15] [6]

Personal life

Outside of football, Posa works as a dentist. [16] He studied at the University of Otago, where he earnt a bachelor's degree in chemistry and mathematics before studying to become a dentist. [1]

Managerial statistics

As of as at 13 December 2025 [17]
Managerial record by team and tenure
TeamNatFromToRecord
GWDLGFGAGDWin %
Auckland City (caretaker) Flag of New Zealand.svg 10 December 20083 May 20091711244519+26064.71
Auckland City Flag of New Zealand.svg 19 September 200930 June 20102515735327+26060.00
Auckland City Flag of New Zealand.svg 22 January 202515 December 202543239117053+17053.49
Total8549181816899+69057.65

Honours

Manager

Auckland City

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Maddaford, Terry (30 January 2009). "Soccer: Calm amid turmoil". New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  2. "Soccer: Auckland picks Posa". New Zealand Herald. 11 December 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  3. Maddaford, Terry (2 May 2009). "Soccer: Popular Posa says farewell to Auckland". New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  4. "2009/10 O-LEAGUE – POSA BACK AT AUCKLAND CITY". Oceania Football Confederation. 19 September 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  5. Maddaford, Terry (19 September 2009). "Soccer: Posa back at City as Brazilian talks end". New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  6. 1 2 "Auckland City head coach Paul Posa steps down after historic season". friendsoffootballnz.com. 16 December 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  7. "Paul Posa Assumes Head Coach Role At City". Auckland City FC. 22 January 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  8. "Posa to take Auckland City to FIFA Club World Cup 2025". FIFA. 21 January 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  9. Voerman, Andrew (1 June 2025). "Auckland City to leave for FIFA Club World Cup without coach due to 'personal circumstances'". Stuff . Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  10. "Posa returns to lead Auckland City FC Into clash with Benfica at FIFA Club World Cup". Oceania Football Confederation. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  11. "Paul Posa Returns for Benfica Match". Auckland City FC. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  12. "'Tiny club, huge heart': proud Auckland City coach Posa". Ahram Online. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  13. "Christian Gray goal earns Auckland City famous draw against Boca Juniors". stuff.co.nz. 24 June 2025.
  14. "Auckland City pull off stunning draw against Boca Juniors at FIFA Club World Cup". rnz.co.nz. 24 June 2025.
  15. "Paul Posa Ends Era on High". Auckland City FC. 15 December 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  16. "All White Mulligan signs for Auckland City". Oceania Football Confederation. 29 July 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  17. "Paul Posa". FotMob. Retrieved 8 January 2026.