We're now well beyond simply packing teams with the best talent to win titles. This season, every coach will be tested on an almost weekly basis, certainly in at least 60 per cent to 70 per cent of matches and will need to understand their opponent well, have contingencies in place according to the opposing team's tendencies and be agile to respond within games.

There are more subtexts than before to maintain interest on the benches, such as Tony Popovic's second season performance, Graham Arnold's desire to head abroad, which will need to happen after more success in the A-League, Ange Postecoglou's wish to revisit the winner's circle with the Victory faithful desperate for another successful season, Alistair Edwards' first full season in charge and Rado Vidosic's influence on Sydney FC as he helps Frank Farina give Alessandro Del Piero a team in which to excel.

Paul Mulvey has had a superb preseason and appears to have the Roar back on track, Ernie Merrick is back - this time at Wellington Phoenix - to prove he's still got the tools in the new age of football and Josep Gombau aims to bring a touch of Barca to Adelaide United, which is already coming together as seen in last week's performance against the Wanderers.

Gary Van Egmond is hungry to get back into the leading pack at Newcastle and John Aloisi has brought in Harry Kewell at Melbourne Heart to ensure he fights for finals football in his second season as a head coach.

Seven former Socceroos, a student from Catalonia, a former multiple league champion and a newcomer, a brilliant mix of experience, ambition, personalities of all types, different methods and philosophies on football and just one title up for grabs, the real one anyway.