Corica became the first coach to win three ALM grand finals after the club's inaugural signing Cam Howieson scored the 60th-minute match-winner at a sold-out Go Media Stadium in Auckland on Saturday.
Former Sydney FC captain and manager Corica overtook former Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou, who won two National Soccer League championships before his two in the modern league.
Saturday's triumph brings Corica full circle, having won back-to-back titles in 2019 and 2020 with Sydney before being sacked by the club in 2023.
"It's a weird one," Corica said.
"When we knew we were going to play Sydney in the final, after spending so much time there, winning trophies for them - but I love winning, and I wanted these boys to put on a show tonight.
"It wasn't the prettiest of games, but they showed the spirit that we expect from them and the crowd was amazing.
"Nice to win against Sydney as well."
Corica's personal achievement wasn't the only record set.
Auckland are the first New Zealand team to win an ALM grand final, doing so in front of a raucous 28,374-strong crowd on home soil.
The league's youngest club, Auckland win a championship in their second season after claiming last year's premiership in their debut campaign.
Auckland are the third club in league history to win a grand final from outside the top two, having finished the regular season in third.
Western United had completed the feat in 2022 from third, while Melbourne Victory won the 2018 title from fourth.
"The support we've had over the first two years has been amazing," Corica said.
"It's something special for the supporters as well, to witness that home grand final, making history here today, the first New Zealand football team to win a grand final."
Local boy Howieson claimed the Joe Marston Medal for his man-of-the-match performance, scoring his first ALM goal when Auckland needed it most.
Sydney defender Jordan Courtney-Perkins had tried to clear the ball in the box with a header, but his clearance went straight to Howieson.
Desperate to mop up his mistake, Courtney-Perkins' outstretched foot only helped Howieson's shot past goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares.
Sydney coach Patrick Kisnorbo turned to substitute Joe Lolley in the 64th minute, but the fit-again striker couldn't conjure any magic.
The Sky Blues fall short of a record-extending sixth championship title, having now lost their last two grand final appearances.
Kisnorbo had been at the helm of Sydney's last decider loss, guiding Melbourne City to a 3-1 win in 2021.
The first side to reach a grand final from fifth, the Sky Blues have yet to beat Auckland across competitions dating back to 2024.
The grand final defeat was Sydney's first loss in seven games under Kisnorbo, who joined the club in March as Ufuk Talay's replacement.
"The initial thought is disappointing, but when I rewind it back, and I really think about it and digest everything - it's pretty remarkable that we've ended up in the grand final," Kisnorbo said.
"It hurts, don't get me wrong, but when I look back and understand it, these boys have done a really great job getting to the final tonight."
AAP travelled to Auckland as a guest of Australian Professional Leagues.
12°C