Brian Murphy - From ‘a dark place’ to leading a club culture

Brian Murphy wants people in soccer to open up more about their mental health.

The Irish-born, Australia-based coach freely admits he had such a bad year in 2019, battling depression amid a turbulent period in charge of New Zealand amateur side Fencibles United, that he tried taking his own life.

“I felt like a failure again,” Murphy says, candidly. “I went to a really dark place. I have a beautiful wife and two beautiful kids. It was a tough time for me and them.

“A friend of mine, Brian Shelley, reached out and brought me back into football as an assistant coach, for the rest of that season.”

Following his recovery from that period, Murphy has most recently taken on his first role as head coach of a professional side, Magpies Crusaders United in Queensland.

He is taking all he has learned over the years – in good times and bad – to lead a team built on strong values and humility.

SCW caught up with Brian to discuss these values, how he goes about sharing his personal experiences with his players, and why he encourages them to hold themselves accountable…