Blacktown City FC Appoints Richie Cardozo as Men’s First Grade Head Coach for 2027
Blacktown City FC has appointed Richie Cardozo as its new Men’s First Grade Head Coach ahead of the 2027 National Premier Leagues NSW season.
Cardozo arrives at Blacktown City with an impressive football resume, bringing extensive coaching experience across the professional and NPL environments, along with more than two decades of experience as a player across multiple countries.
His coaching journey has included stints with both Central Coast Mariners, where he spent a season, and Western Sydney Wanderers, where he spent four seasons in a variety of roles.
During his time with the Wanderers, Cardozo held both NPL Head Coach and Assistant Coach positions, while also gaining valuable experience within the A-League Men’s first-team environment over two years. His coaching responsibilities also extended across the club’s development pathway, working with age groups ranging from under-15s through to NPL level.
A UEFA A Licence holder, Cardozo also boasts more than 15 years of coaching experience further strengthening his credentials as he prepares to take charge of one of NSW’s most established football clubs.
His experience on the pitch is equally impressive, having enjoyed a playing career spanning more than 20 years across Europe, Asia, New Zealand and Australia. Cardozo also represented Australia at the 2003 FIFA U17 World Cup, an experience that formed an important part of his footballing journey.
Throughout his playing career, he collected numerous individual and team honours, including two NPL Golden Boots across NSW and Victoria, the NPL Victoria Media Player of the Year award and the NPL NSW Goal of the Year.
His achievements also included two Waratah Cup titles and three league championships, highlighting a successful playing career at various levels of the game.
Blacktown City will now look to Cardozo’s experience, coaching pedigree and understanding of the Australian football landscape as the club prepares for the 2027 campaign.
The appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the club, with Cardozo set to lead its Men’s First Grade program as Blacktown City looks ahead to another season in the NPL NSW competition.
It also signals the end on one of the longest NPL Men’s NSW coaching tenures in Mark Crittenden.
