Daniel McBreen

Early life and career

McBreen was born in Burnley, Lancashire, England to Jim and Kathy (née Wood). The family moved to Australia six weeks later after his father took up an offer to play football for Edgeworth Eagles. He was raised in Newcastle, New South Wales and started his career playing local football for Toronto Awaba Stags before joining Edgeworth Eagles in 1999. McBreen scored over 20 goals for them in the 1999 Northern NSW State Football League before being the league's top scorer the following season with 23 goals. However, he was dropped for the grand final, when Edgeworth were beaten 3–0 by Hamilton Olympic. McBreen earned his first professional contract aged 23 with Newcastle United of the National Soccer League in July 2000. He later credited Edgeworth coach Bobby Naumov for the move, saying "He set me on the road to a pro career". McBreen made his debut that year, and scored 6 goals from 23 appearances as Newcastle finished in 14th place in the 2000–01 National Soccer League table. Newcastle turned full-time the following year, and McBreen played 13 matches and scored 3 goals with Newcastle improving their league position by ranking second in the 2001–02 National Soccer League table. Despite playing less frequently he enjoyed working under new coach Ian Crook, saying "you can speak to him as a human being and he can man manage. He made training enjoyable".

Spells in Europe

After being offered a trial with Universitatea Craiova by an agent,…

Australia national team coach Pim Verbeek selected McBreen in an extended squad of 25 players for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia in Brisbane on 3 March 2010. He was an unused substitute as Australia beat Indonesia 1–0.

McBreen played as a striker and was good in the air and adept at holding the ball up and bringing teammates into play. At 6 feet 1 inch (1.86 m), he posed a threat at set pieces. North Queensland Fury coach Ian Ferguson commented on his physicality, describing him as "an aggressive player ... who will give centre halves a hard time".

McBreen was appointed as the head coach of the Newcastle Jets under-15 team in October 2015, and remained playing on a semi-professional basis with former club Edgeworth in the National Premier Leagues Northern NSW for the 2016 season. He retired from playing at the end of the 2019 season and was appointed as the head coach of the Newcastle Jets youth team on 13 September 2019. In April 2022, he left his post as coach, amid suggestions he and football manager Craig Deans had lost faith in the club's management.