John Hutchinson

Club

Central Coast Mariners

Position

Manager

Nationality

Malta

Date of birth

1979-12-29

Birthplace

Morwell, Australia

Height

1.79 m (5 ft 10 1⁄2 in)

Weight

73.47

John Hutchinson is the current head coach of the Central Coast Mariners, having been appointed on a two-year contract ahead of the 2026/27 A-League Men season.He played as a central midfielder for Eastern Pride, Northern Spirit, Manly United, Chengdu Blades and Central Coast Mariners. He also captained the Central Coast Mariners. Born in Australia, he represented the Malta national team internationally.

Hutchinson was born in Morwell, Victoria and made his senior debut for Gippsland Falcons in the National Soccer League in 1997. Hutchinson went on to play for Northern Spirit and Manly United before joining Central Coast Mariners in 2005. Hutchinson is the all-time most capped Mariners player. He also spent time on loan at Chinese club Chengdu Blades.

Hutchinson won 11 caps with the Maltese national team.

Early life
Hutchinson was born in Morwell, and played youth football from age three for Morwell Pegasus, going on to play for the side in the Gippsland Soccer League. He has Maltese ancestry through one of his grandmothers.

Club career
Gippsland Falcons (Eastern Pride)
Hutchinson is one of the most highly lauded prospects to emerge from the Gippsland Falcons youth setup. John signed with Falcons as a youth by coach Harry Bingham. He made his National Soccer League debut for the club in February 1997, coming on as a substitute in a loss to Marconi-Fairfield. On 2 January 2000 he scored his first league goal, the opener in a 1–1 draw with Adelaide Force.

Despite the limited success of the final seasons of the Falcons (renamed Eastern Pride), Hutchinson received positive reviews for his performances for the club at a young age.

Northern Spirit
In June 2001, Hutchinson moved to Sydney-based National Soccer League side Northern Spirit following the dissolution of Eastern Pride.

Hutchinson was one of several players unpaid during the financial decline of the Spirit, and eventually was left clubless when the club folded in 2004.

Manly United
Hutchinson next played for Manly United in the NSW Premier League, where he was club captain.

Central Coast Mariners
Hutchinson made his competitive debut for the Mariners in qualifying competition for the 2005 OFC Club Championship, coming on at half-time against Newcastle Jets in a match the Mariners eventually won in a penalty shootout. Hutchinson came on in the final minutes of the 2005 A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup final against Perth Glory as the Mariners won their first ever piece