Merrick all set to land with the Jets

Agree Griffo, he needs some actual coaching experience

Jones put his heart on his sleeve. He has an even greater passion for the region, growing up here. He also had badges. How did he go? Bridges may have played at the highest level but so did Steve McMahon and Terry Butcher. Both had greater pedigree than he. Bridges needs to put in the work as an assistant. There is no evidence he'd succeed. England doesn't exactly produce quality coaches

Thanks Caltex. Here's hoping ;-)

I hear what you say Caltex. Bridges might have been an option if we didn't have Stubbins and even Jones now behind us. Another time perhaps, or picked up by another A-League club. I don't know if he is even coaching outside his current media arrangements, which seems full on during the A-League season, and may be his preferred job in football now. Ideally imo he seems like he would need an assistant position in the A-League, even coaching NPL or even Jets NYL/NPL.

To be fair, I thought Stubbins was a reasonable gamble. It didn't work out however he had a coaching track record before he turned up at the Jets.

Muscat, Arnold and Popa, were all rookies when they were given their first gigs. Bridges, would do the same as those I mentioned (bringing success). The Newcastle folk all love him, because he puts his heart on his sleeve for Newcastle club and has a real passion for the region. He also has a real football pedigree that can't be ignored.

Stubbins and Jones both had "all the badges". Bridges has shown nothing to suggest he could do the job. He is liked in the region but that is irrelevant

He has all of his coaching badges, and with a good head on his shoulders. I would give him ago, he comes across on the SBS analysis panel full of enthusiasm and he is well respected in the Newcastle region.

His energy levels are my concern. I wish he wasn't so bl%&dy dour in interviews too!

The same Michael Bridges who has no coaching experience? Signing him would have been "more of the same"

Agree totally

Good luck Griffo, but I fear the worst. I have no faith with managers who resign when the going gets tough. Merrick has a tenancy to throw in the towel when the going gets tough... I hope he proves me wrong, as the Jet's supporters deserve some success on and off the park.

Good in that Merrick has experience - we have had our run of rookie coaches for now. However I am a little underwhelmed with perhaps an appointment that is as safe as it was almost predictable. I can only hope in his two year contract Merrick can provide a platform that sees us at the other end of the table, from where we perhaps may appoint the next coach who can take us further still. I just hope the we have a more attacking style than a defensive counter attack which we've been setup for over a number of seasons. I'll also add that this was McKinna's first choice as well. If Merrick has a spectacularly poor start next season as he did for Wellington this season, I think McKinna will be on his way out as well.

I am not convinced Ernie is the right man for this task. I still believe the Jets need style and energy whereas Ernie offers stoicism and stability. He is a good coach however I believe he'd be better suited to a national gig with one of the SE Asian nations which could really use a steady hand and a level head. Hopefully Ernie will prove me wrong.

This is more of the same. I would have thought, Michael Bridges, Jet's explayer, and current SBS football analysis, would have been the better choice.

right recruitment will be everything for the Jets next season.