Brisbane Roar Appoints Johnathan Clemente as Head Coach

Brisbane Roar has announced an appointment ahead of the upcoming Ninja A-League season, naming Johnathan Clemente as the club’s new head coach on a two-year deal.

At just 27 years of age, Clemente becomes the youngest head coach in A-League history, taking charge of a competitive Brisbane squad that secured a fourth-place finish and a semi-final appearance during the 2025/26 campaign.

Reflecting on his new leadership position, Brisbane Roar new head coach, Clemente, said: “I am incredibly honoured at the opportunity to lead of one of the most successful clubs in the country, with one of the best squads in the league and to do it in one of the most beautiful places in the world.”

“I see exciting parallels between Brisbane Roar and my own journey.

“We’ve been hungry, ambitious and have spent the past few years building strong foundations.

“Now it’s our time to come together and establish ourselves at the pinnacle of women’s football in this country,” Clemente stated.

As the sole professional pathway for women’s football within Queensland, the club’s leadership prioritised a modern, visionary coaching appointment capable of sustaining high-performance outcomes and regional talent identification.

Highlighting that Clemente’s rigorous methodology and clear strategic alignment made him the standout candidate during the recruitment process, Brisbane Roar sporting director, James Gow, added: “Johnathan is coach with a very clear idea of how he wants to play, train and develop his team.”

“We conducted a thorough recruitment process and his desire for the role and clarity in how he works stood out.

“Despite his young age he has a lot of experience in the A-League Women’s space. He really buys into the strategy we as a club wish to execute.

“We are looking forward to welcoming him and seeing him get to work,” Gow said. 

Clemente transitions to the role after spending the past four seasons as an assistant coach under Jeff Hopkins at Melbourne Victory, where he also oversaw the club’s National Premier Leagues Women’s, female pathways, and Afghan Women’s Team programs.

His developmental background also includes successful stints leading the Essendon Royals and Heidelberg United, where he achieved the club’s highest league finish in twelve years and transitioned ten players into professional A-League squads.

With pre-season planning well underway, Clemente intends to maintain the squad’s upward trajectory while fostering a fluid, identity-driven style of play designed to inspire the next generation of talent.

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