Eastern Suburbs have appointed Michael Built as head coach of the men’s first team for next year’s NZ National League season.
Built has been involved with the club since 2018, earning 163 caps for the men’s first team as Lilywhite #733 and coaching various age group sides.
The former Lilywhites captain has taken on a role that he describes comes with huge responsibility, and is looking forward to the challenge as the men’s gaffer.
“It’s a huge honour. Eastern Suburbs have a long a proud history as a football club, and with that comes a big responsibility to make sure that I am building on the work that has been done in recent years” Built said.
“The head coach role at Eastern Suburbs is a step I’ve been wanting to make for a long time. It’s going to be a challenge, but I am eager to make sure that we are as competitive, if not more competitive, than we have been over the recent season.”
In 2009, Built’s playing career took him to the UK, signing with then League Two outfit Northampton Town. He spent the next four years with the Cobblers, but injury kept him from making regular appearances. While sidelined he took to coaching and began to earn his UEFA licenses.
Following Northampton Town, Built went on loan to Bedford Town and then continued on to Histon FC and Brackley Town. In 2015 he returned to New Zealand and joined Hamilton Wanderer’s first team. Here he continued his coaching career for both The Wanderers and WaiBOP Football.
In 2018 Built made the move to Auckland, joining Danny Hay’s Championship winning Eastern Suburbs team. At this time he began his coaching work with the Lilywhites, and moved into the football set up at Sacred Heart College.
Most recently Built was involved with the NZ U-20s in Indonesia, acting as second assistant to Darren Bazeley during the 2023 pre-tournament. The 2024 season has seen him at the Club as Director of Junior Football and U13 TDP coach.
Built currently holds a UEFA B License, and will begin his role as Head Coach in early 2025.
