Marko Milanovic wins second straight NSL Coach of the Year award

AFC Toronto head coach Marko Milanovic has been named Northern Super League (NSL) Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season, becoming the first coach to win the award twice since the league launched in 2025.

The announcement, made Friday, October 30, recognizes Milanovic’s work during the NSL’s second campaign, with the award determined by his fellow coaches across the league.

Having also received the honour following the inaugural season, Milanovic has now earned the recognition in both years of the competition’s existence.

The achievement comes as AFC Toronto continues to develop its squad and establish itself in Canadian professional women’s soccer.

Milanovic earns recognition from fellow NSL coaches

Beyond winning consecutive awards, Milanovic holds a distinctive position in the young league’s history. He is the only head coach from the NSL’s inaugural season who remains in his role, providing AFC Toronto with continuity through the competition’s first two years.

While other clubs have experienced coaching changes, Toronto has maintained the same leadership on the sidelines.

That stability has been an important part of the club’s development, with Milanovic overseeing a young squad as it builds its playing identity and competes among the league’s leading teams.

The recognition also carries particular significance because it comes from coaches who face AFC Toronto throughout the season.

“It’s definitely an honour to be Coach of the Year, especially because it comes from people inside the league and my colleagues, the people that you’re competing with on a yearly basis,” Milanovic said in the club’s announcement.

Despite receiving the individual award, the Toronto coach emphasized the contributions of his staff and players.

“But like most individual awards, it’s really a team award because none of that is possible without your colleagues and with all your players.”

His comments reflect an approach centred on collective progress rather than individual accomplishments.

Continuity shapes AFC Toronto’s development

Milanovic’s second award comes during a period of growth for the Northern Super League, which is completing its second season after introducing a new professional platform for women’s soccer in Canada.

For AFC Toronto, retaining its head coach has provided consistency while the team continues developing its roster and style of play.

According to the club, Milanovic’s coaching philosophy prioritizes continuous improvement and creating an environment where players can learn, develop and gain experience competing at the professional level.

That focus has accompanied the team’s efforts to build on the foundation established during the NSL’s first campaign.

The award also highlights the distinction between immediate results and longer-term development. Milanovic has remained responsible for guiding the squad through both seasons, working with players as the club establishes itself within the competition.

His consecutive selections make him the only recipient of the NSL Coach of the Year award to date, adding another individual milestone to AFC Toronto’s early history.

With the league continuing to evolve, Milanovic’s recognition offers a measure of the consistency AFC Toronto has maintained since its inaugural campaign.

The club’s next challenge will be to build on that progress as the NSL enters its third season in 2027.