Central Coast football manager Lawrie McKinna says the A-League outfit would love to sign Socceroos’ defender Scott Chipperfield, but admits the club are unlikely to be able to afford him.
The 34-year-old, who was linked with a move to the Mariners two years ago before opting to stay with Swiss outfit Basel, told Fairfax newspapers he was considering finishing his career with Sydney FC next year.
McKinna, who stepped down as head coach last season, to focus on recruitment, said Chipperfield’s experience would be a huge boost to any club in the league, but was doubtful the Mariners could compete with Sydney financially.
“We have Joshua Rose in the left full-back spot and he is under contract, and Ollie Bozanic in left midfield so we are pretty well covered,” McKinna told AAP.
“We had serious interest in signing Scotty two years ago, but it never happened, but I can say this time around his name hasn’t been mentioned, but I would never say never, he is a top-class player and would be an asset to any club that can afford him.
“But at the moment we probably couldn’t afford him but that is not to say we aren’t interested.”
Newcastle Jets coach Branko Culina was lukewarm on the idea of Chipperfield moving back to the A-League, but said he is a great admirer of his talents.
The Jets have been boosted financially by the millions of mining magnate Nathan Tinkler but Culina was non-committal about the prospect of enticing Chipperfield to EnergyAustralia Stadium.
“I didn’t realise Scott was coming back, but he is a player I know very well from his NSL days,” he told AAP.
“I can’t say for sure if we would sign him as we have not thought ahead to next season and who we keep and who we lose.
“However, I am wary of players who come back to play in Australia when they are past their best, and I am not saying Scott is.
“But we have seen Ned Zelic, John Aloisi, to name two, return around the age of 35 and have not been able to do their talents justice.
“It is why I encouraged my son Jason to return at 28 while he is still at his peak.”
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