From a distinguished playing career to rising through the coaching ranks, get to know the Newcastle Jets new Head Coach, Rob Stanton.
As a player, Stanton was a part of the AIS Football program from 1989-1990 based in Canberra. Primarily playing as a defender, Stanton went on to represent the Young Socceroos between 1989-1991. He was a member of the Young Socceroos squad that finished in 4th place in the World Youth Cup in Portugal in 1991.
Overall, Stanton made over 330 appearances in the National Soccer League for Sydney United, Marconi Stallions and Wollongong Wolves. During this time he won a Premiership with Marconi as well as two Grand Finals and the Oceania World Club Championship with Wollongong.
After retiring as a player, Stanton moved into coaching. The former defender became the Head Coach of NSW NPL side Sutherland Sharks, winning the Championship in 2009 as well as the Waratah Cup in the same year as well as 2012. Stanton also held the Head Coach role of the Australian Deaf Football team from 2012-2016. His side competed in the Deaf World Cup and Olympic Qualifiers in 2011.
Following the end of 2014, Stanton was poached by Sydney FC to spearhead the Club’s Youth and U20’s side. With Sydney FC youth, Stanton won the National Youth League in 2015/16 as well as gaining promotion from NPL2 to NPL1 in 2017. During this time, Stanton helped develop young talents such as Marco Tillio of Melbourne City, Cameron Devlin of Heart of Midlothian in Scotland as well as Cameron Peupion of Brighton and Hove Albion in the English Premier League.
In 2018, Stanton was promoted to Assistant Coach with Sydney FC, with the Club claiming two Championships as well as a Premiership during his tenure.
After the conclusion of the 2021/22 season, Stanton received a call-up to be Assistant Coach for the A-League All Stars match against Barcelona. In a team comprising of Rhyan Grant, Kye Rowles, Jay O’Shea, Daniel Penha, Reno Piscopo, Jason Cummings, Garang Kuol and Nestory Irankunda, the match ended in a 3-2 win for the Spanish giants in what was a highly entertaining clash.