Harry Kewell is widely regarded as one of Australia’s finest footballers. From his breakthrough at Leeds United to winning the Champions League with Liverpool, his playing career spanned Europe, Asia, and Australia. Today, he is the head coach of Ha Noi FC in Vietnam.
Born on 22 September 1978 in Smithfield, Sydney, Kewell was voted Australia’s greatest ever soccer player in 2012 by fans, players, and the media. He is a member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and remains the first Australian-born player to win the UEFA Champions League.
Kewell is married to broadcaster Sheree Murphy, and the couple have four children. He currently manages in the V.League 1, having taken over at Ha Noi FC in October 2025.
Who is Harry Kewell? Biography and Early Life
- Kewell debuted for Leeds United at age 17 and won the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
- His 2003 transfer from Leeds to Liverpool was a then-record fee for an Australian player.
- He scored 17 goals in 58 appearances for the Socceroos.
- Kewell became the first Australian to coach a professional English club when he took over Crawley Town in 2017.
- At Galatasaray, he played as a main striker and scored 22 goals.
- He led Yokohama F. Marinos to the AFC Champions League final in 2024.
- His early youth career included time with Marconi Stallions before moving to England.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Harold Kewell |
| Date of Birth | 22 September 1978 |
| Place of Birth | Smithfield, Sydney, Australia |
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Youth Career | Marconi Stallions, Leeds United |
| Senior Club Career | Leeds United (1996–2003), Liverpool (2003–2008), Galatasaray (2008–2012), Melbourne Victory (2012–2013), Al-Gharafa (2013), Melbourne Heart (2013–2014) |
| International Debut | 1996 vs Chile |
| Last International | 2012 vs Lebanon |
| Coaching Career | Watford U21 (2015), Crawley Town (2017), Notts County & Oldham Athletic, Barnet (2021), Celtic (2022–2023), Yokohama F. Marinos (2023–2024), Ha Noi FC (2025–present) |
| Major Honours | UEFA Champions League 2005, FA Cup 2006, Turkish Super Lig 2008, OFC Nations Cup 2000 |
Which Teams Did Harry Kewell Play For? Full Club Career
Leeds United (1996–2003)
Kewell made his senior debut for Leeds at age 17. Over seven seasons, he made 181 appearances and scored 45 goals. He was named PFA Young Player of the Year and became a fan favourite.
Liverpool (2003–2008)
In 2003, Kewell joined Liverpool for £5 million, a club he supported as a boy. He made 93 appearances and scored around 17 goals. His most memorable moment came in the 2005 UEFA Champions League final, though he was substituted early due to injury. He also won the FA Cup in 2006.
Galatasaray (2008–2012)
Kewell moved to Turkey in 2008 and enjoyed a productive spell. He scored 22 goals in 63 matches, often playing as a central striker. His best season was 2009–10, when he netted 14 goals. He won the Turkish Super Lig in 2008.
Later clubs
After Galatasaray, Kewell returned to Australia with Melbourne Victory, had a brief stint at Qatari club Al-Gharafa in 2013, and finished his playing career at Melbourne Heart in 2014. He retired from playing in April 2014.
Kewell wore the number 7 shirt at Liverpool, though he also used number 19 in some early appearances. At Leeds he was most associated with number 7 and later number 10.
What is Harry Kewell Doing Now? Coaching Career
Early coaching roles
After retiring, Kewell began coaching at Watford’s Under-21 setup in 2015. In May 2017, he became the first Australian to manage a professional English club when he took over Crawley Town, leading them to a 14th-place finish in League Two.
Celtic and Yokohama F. Marinos
Kewell served as a first-team coach at Celtic under Ange Postecoglou from June 2022 to December 2023. He then moved to Japan as head coach of Yokohama F. Marinos, guiding the team to the AFC Champions League final in May 2024, where they finished as runners-up.
Ha Noi FC (2025–present)
Kewell was appointed head coach of Ha Noi FC in October 2025. As of mid-2025, he has overseen 20 matches, recording 12 wins, 2 draws, and 6 losses.
While coaching records are publicly available, precise win percentages for some earlier roles remain incomplete. The figures for Ha Noi FC come from FotMob.
Who is Harry Kewell Married To? Personal Life
Harry Kewell married British broadcaster Sheree Murphy on 25 May 2002. The couple have four children. Murphy is best known for her role in the soap opera Emmerdale and her work as a television presenter. The family has lived in England, Turkey, and now Vietnam. As of 2025, they remain married.
How Many Goals Did Harry Kewell Score for the Socceroos?
Kewell scored 17 goals in 58 caps for the Australian national team. He made his senior debut in 1996 against Chile and played his last international match in 2012 against Lebanon. He scored three goals at the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar, including an extra-time strike in the quarter-final against Iraq.
Harry Kewell Career Timeline
- 1978 – Born in Smithfield, Sydney
- 1995 – Debuts for Leeds United first team
- 1996 – First senior cap for Australia
- 2000 – Wins OFC Nations Cup with Australia
- 2003 – Transfers to Liverpool for £5 million
- 2005 – Wins UEFA Champions League with Liverpool
- 2006 – Wins FA Cup with Liverpool
- 2008 – Moves to Galatasaray, wins Turkish Super Lig
- 2011 – Returns to Australia, joins Melbourne Victory
- 2012 – Retires from international football after 58 caps
- 2014 – Retires from playing
- 2017 – Begins coaching career with Crawley Town
- 2025 – Appointed head coach of Ha Noi FC
What is Known and What Remains Unclear About Kewell’s Career?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Birth date, clubs, and international stats are confirmed by official sources. | Exact injury timelines are not always precise; only general periods are recorded. |
| Coaching appointments are publicly recorded (Crawley Town, Celtic, Yokohama, Ha Noi FC). | Some loan details, such as the exact number of appearances for Celtic’s reserves, are not fully documented. |
| Jersey numbers are known for most clubs (Liverpool #7, Leeds #7/#10). | His net worth is estimated between $10–$25 million but no verified figure exists. |
| Kewell did not play for Celtic as a player – that was a coaching role. | Precise win/loss records for his early coaching positions are not consistently available. |
Why Does Kewell’s Legacy Matter in Australian Football?
Kewell is often called the greatest Australian footballer of his generation. His move to Liverpool paved the way for future Australian exports to Europe. Injuries limited his peak years, but his achievements – a Champions League title, a FA Cup, and a Turkish Super Lig – remain unmatched by most Australian players. His induction into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and his ongoing coaching career continue to shape his legacy.
What Do Sources Say About Harry Kewell?
“He was a unique talent. When he was fit, he could change a game on his own.”
– former teammate, as reported by multiple sources
“Kewell’s journey from Sydney to Anfield inspired a generation of young Australian footballers.”
– Football Australia profile
What’s Next for Harry Kewell?
Kewell’s contract with Ha Noi FC runs through at least the end of the 2025 season. Future possibilities include a return to Australia to manage in the A-League or a role within the Socceroos setup. He is also a candidate for future induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. For an in-depth look at another football figure’s biography, read Derek McInnes – Biography of the Rangers Manager. You can also explore Humphrey Ker – Actor, Comedian, and Wrexham AFC Director.
Frequently Asked Questions
What number did Harry Kewell wear at Liverpool?
Harry Kewell wore the number 7 shirt at Liverpool (2003–2008), though he also used 19 in some early appearances.
Did Harry Kewell ever play for Celtic as a player?
No, Harry Kewell never played for Celtic as a player. He worked as a youth coach for Celtic’s reserves and B team from 2022 to 2023.
Is Harry Kewell still married to Sheree Murphy?
Yes, as of 2025, Harry Kewell and Sheree Murphy are still married. They have four children.
What is Harry Kewell’s net worth?
Exact figures are speculative, but various sources estimate his net worth between $10–$25 million, accumulated from playing contracts, endorsements, and coaching.
How many goals did Harry Kewell score for Liverpool?
He scored around 16 goals in 93 Premier League appearances for Liverpool, with approximately 17 in all competitions.
What teams did Harry Kewell play for?
Leeds United, Liverpool, Galatasaray, Melbourne Victory, Al-Gharafa, and Melbourne Heart.
How many caps did Harry Kewell earn for Australia?
He earned 58 caps and scored 17 goals for the Socceroos.
When did Harry Kewell retire from playing?
He retired in April 2014 after his final season with Melbourne Heart.
What is Harry Kewell’s current job?
He is the head coach of Ha Noi FC in Vietnam, a role he took up in October 2025.
Did Harry Kewell win the Champions League?
Yes, he won the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, becoming the first Australian-born player to do so.
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William Ashby is Editor-in-Chief at Edinburgh Wire, overseeing local editorial policy, standards and publication decisions.