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Sydney FC's first season was ultimately a success.

Finishing 2nd on the ladder behind Adelaide United they went on to defeat Central Coast Mariners 1 – 0 in the 2006 A-League Grand Final with Steve Corica scoring in the second half.

However their success wouldn't last long, with German manager Pierre Littbarski leaving the club due to being forced to accept a lower pay cheque and inaugural marquee player Dwight Yorke being signed by Premier League club Sunderland.

Former English international Terry Butcher was signed as their new coach for the 2006 – 07 season, however it was regarded as an overall failure, with Sydney playing poor football, despite the signing of Alex Brosque and Benito Carbone as a Guest player.

Sydney also had 3 points taken away during the season, after it was found that they had breached the Salary cap, involving player David Zdrillic.

Despite the off field problems, Sydney scraped into the finals series, however lost out in the semi final to Newcastle Jets.

Despite him leading Sydney into the finals, Sydney fans were unhappy with Butchers tactics, and both Butcher and Sydney FC went their separate ways.

Sydney would then sign Branko Čulina for their 2007 Asian Champions League campaign, where they finished second in the group, one point behind ultimate champions and J-League heavyweights Urawa Red Diamonds.

Despite the ACL success, Sydney FC's start to the 07 – 08 season was poor, and the club sacked him, replacing him with former Adelaide United manager John Kosmina.

Sydney FC played well for the rest of the season, but got knocked out in the finals by Brisbane Roar.