Airton Andrioli Takes Helm at Adelaide United, Pledges Continued Youth Development

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Airton Andrioli has officially taken charge of Adelaide United, bringing with him not just experience and vision, but a deep-rooted passion for developing young talent—an ethos he vows will remain central to the club’s identity.

The 60-year-old Brazilian, who replaces Carl Veart at the helm, has signed on for at least two seasons. Having spent the past five years as Adelaide’s Head of Youth Football and assistant coach, Andrioli’s appointment signals both continuity and a new chapter at Coopers Stadium.

“This won’t change,” Andrioli said of the club’s youth-first philosophy. “It’s a passion and something the club wants to continue doing.”

Youth Legacy to Continue

Andrioli’s fingerprints are already all over South Australia’s football landscape. He has been a cornerstone in the success of Adelaide’s academy system, playing a key role in identifying and developing a host of rising stars—among them Nestory Irankunda, Luka Jovanovic, and Aurelio Vidmar Medallist Ethan Alagich.

His work also extends to talents like Giuseppe Bovalina, Alex Popovic, and goalkeeper Steven Hall, whose development has been nurtured under Andrioli’s guidance.

A former Solomon Islands head coach, Andrioli led Adelaide’s NPLM SA senior and reserve squads to their respective Grand Finals in 2023, with the seniors clinching their first-ever NPL Championship.

Emphasis on Structure and Expression

While youth development remains his north star, Andrioli is also focused on crafting a cohesive tactical identity for the first team.

“I believe structure gives players the freedom to express themselves,” he told club media. “If players know when and where to do certain things, they can play with confidence and creativity.”

He added, “This is the challenge for me in the next few years—creating a clear template that everyone understands. That clarity provides young players, especially those without top-flight experience, with the structure they need to succeed.”

A-Leagues Head Coaching Debut

Though this marks Andrioli’s first head coaching role in the A-Leagues, his resume includes over a decade as Technical Director of Football South Australia (2009–2020), where he collaborated closely with Veart and Richie Alagich.

As he prepares to lead Adelaide into the 2025–26 season and beyond, Andrioli’s mission is simple but ambitious: maintain the club’s reputation as a launchpad for youth and turn that talent into on-field success.

“We value young players,” he said. “This is the club where dreams are given space to grow.”