Ex-Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond has been appointed to the Australian Institute of Sport, but Football Federation Australia has withdrawn its offer for him to become national under-17 coach.
Van Egmond, the FFA and the Jets have been locked in a messy battle following the coach’s decision to walk away from a four-year deal with the A-League club for a dual role with the country’s best under 17 players.
The Jets had demanded compensation from the FFA for van Egmond, alleging the governing body had poached him illegally for the job.
But following threats of legal action from Jets owner Con Constantine, the FFA has now pulled its Joeys offer for van Egmond.
It leaves van Egmond with just the AIS role, which he is likely to start next week.
“At this stage we won’t be filling the position,” an FFA spokeswoman said of the national under-17 coaching role.
Interim Joeys coach Jean-Paul de Marigny is likely to guide the current side at least until the AFC under-16 qualifiers in October.
AIS director Peter Fricker said the institute decided to stick with van Egmond, hiring him until 2012.
It is understood to be on a lesser salary than van Egmond would have commanded for both jobs.
“He is one of Australia’s outstanding coaches and his tremendous knowledge and experience will help our young group of talented footballers reach their potential,” Fricker said.
“The confusion around his contract with Newcastle was unfortunate but it would have been a travesty if Gary’s talents were sidelined.”
Van Egmond said he was looking forward to his new role.
“This has been a difficult period. I am pleased I have certainty and that I can now move ahead,” he said in a statement.
The Jets could not be reached for comment on Monday night as to whether they will continue their claims for compensation from the FFA over van Egmond’s departure.
Newcastle have already appointed Branko Culina as van Egmond’s replacement for the A-League season which starts next month.
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