Sean McAuley

Sean McAuley (born 23 June 1972) is a football manager and former player who is the manager of Indy Eleven of the USL Championship. Born in England, he made one appearance for the Scotland U21 national team.

Playing career Sheffield-born McAuley began his football career with Manchester United, signing on with the club as an apprentice in July 1988. He turned professional on 21 June 1990, but was sold to St Johnstone for £80,000 two years later, without having made a single appearance for the United first team.

Coaching career

Sheffield Wednesday F.C. caretaker (2006 & 2009–2010) McAuley was appointed Sheffield Wednesday F.C.'s Academy head coach in January 2006.

He became caretaker manager of Sheffield Wednesday between the sacking of Paul Sturrock and the appointment of Brian Laws in late October and early November 2006 respectively. McAuley was in charge for four first-team games, winning three and drawing one. The victories were over Queens Park Rangers, Crystal Palace and Leicester City. The draw was a 2–2 scoreline at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Following the appointments of both Laws and Alan Irvine, he returned to his career as the Owls' Academy head coach.

Following the sacking of Brian Laws on 13 December 2009, McAuley was re-installed as caretaker manager, until a replacement could be found. His first game was a 2–0 home defeat to Swansea. He then went on to draw 2–2 with league leaders Newcastle United and lose 2–1 to Crystal Palace in the 3rd round of the FA Cup, both at home.

McAuley was also involved in Sheffield Wednesday's work to build partner relationships with clubs in North America. He developed ties with clubs in northern California and Michigan, and in April 2009 he travelled to Canada to undertake coaching sessions with Victoria Highlanders.

MLS assistant (2012 – 2024) In July 2012, Sean McAuley departed Sheffield Wednesday in order to become the Assistant Manager at Major League Soccer club Portland Timbers. McAuley previously played in Portland for the pre-MLS Timbers. In August 2018, McAuley joined James O'Connor's technical staff at Orlando City SC as an assistant coach. In January 2020, McAuley joined Adrian Heath's coaching staff at Minnesota United FC as an assistant coach. In October 2023, McAuley was named interim head coach at Minnesota United FC following the sacking of Adrian Heath. McAuley departed Minnesota United FC on January 5.

Indy Eleven manager (2024 – present) On January 8, 2024, McAuley was announced as the manager of Indy Eleven. McAuley was named USL Championship Coach of the Month on 12 June 2024 for a perfect month of May, winning 4 league matches and two U.S. Open Cup matches in that time. McAuley ended his first full season as manager with an 18–9–13 record in all competitions, leading Indy Eleven to their first home playoff match in 5 years and their best-ever performance in the U.S. Open Cup, falling in the semi-finals to finalists Sporting Kansas City.

Managerial statistics

—