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The Central Coast Mariners are in themselves a grand juxtaposition. It’s a Jekyll and Hyde kind of game.
For breakfast on Tuesday morning I read of an upgrade of up to $700,000 for Central Coast Stadium amid ongoing talks of their bold bid to be the only tenant.
For lunch I was shocked, albeit for a brief moment, that the club decided after a heated board meeting and some key disagreements that manager Paul Okon’s position became untenable.
I don’t have too much sympathy for Okon. In the second year of a two-year deal the 28-time Socceroo and former captain couldn’t put the Mariners back onto the path and for the fourth excruciating year, the Mariners have finished outside the top six.
A struggling first year can be forgiven considering Okon was working with Tony Walmsley’s scrapheap. However even with a whole pre-season, Okon’s recruitment was hit and miss as he attempted to develop a strong spine with foreigners like Alan Baro, Tom Hiariej and Wout Brama.
(AAP Image/David Moir)
They had no goal scorers. Asdruval Padron was a failed venture while Connor Pain and Andrew Hoole aren’t consistent enough to be goal scoring outlets at A-League level. Attacking talent like Danny De Silva couldn’t show half his ability with the poor recruitment around him.
With four matches to go and currently sitting on 20 points and in ninth place, a the same position as last season, Paul Okon has shown he’s failed to help the club turn a corner.
According to The Australian’s chief football writer, Ray Gatt, who spoke with Fox Sports, Okon’s quarrels with the board which lead to his exit “reportedly included less of a say in the direction of the club’s recruitment strategy and focus.”
The Mariners are now back to square one… again.
Paul Okon's @ALeague record in charge of Central Coast:
50 games
10 wins, 13 draws, 27 losses8th place finish in 2016-17
Currently 9th in 2017-18— Fox Sports Lab (@FoxSportsLab) March 20, 2018
Central Coast Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp, in a statement made by the club said that their next move is the “most important appointment in the club’s history.”
If there is anything they’ve got right, it’s that. The Mariners cannot afford anymore slip ups following three years of unwanted records, poor results and fan disillusionment.
There is no more room for mistakes or another botched appointment for a club that has trophies in the cabinet, ever-so loyal fans and infrastructure that trumps the majority of fellow A-League clubs.
Should they look long or short term? Can they promote in house or scout overseas? There are many questions that will rise in the coming weeks.
If chairman Mike Charlesworth and Mielekamp are worth their salt, they’ll conduct a polished search for a proper manager to get them back into the finals before an expansion tidal wave hits, whenever that may be.
It’s important Mielekamp understands and acts upon mistakes, but don’t let the words “It’s a tough time for the club. We can’t make a mistake,” become the clubs mantra.
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