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Newcastle coach sees brighter future for resilient Jets

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8th January, 2021
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Newcastle’s interim coach Craig Deans says he can see light at the end of the tunnel for the club following the implementation of new temporary ownership by A-League investors.

Football Australia ended a stalemate with Chinese businessman Martin Lee earlier this week, cancelling his licence and handing it to a consortium led by A-League clubs Sydney FC, Western Sydney and Western United.

Friday night’s 2-1 loss to the Wanderers marked a lost opportunity to amplify the positivity for the Jets, but Deans said there is no way he would invest his time and energy in the club if he thought it would fail.

Deans took over as interim coach after Ernie Merrick was sacked from the role this time last year, and he was later replaced by Carl Robinson, who led the Wanderers to victory on Friday night.

Once again with his hands temporarily on the reins, Deans said he is proud of how the players have performed and is excited for the future.

“I’ve been impressed with these players for 12 months now,” he said on Friday night.

“Ernie left in January last year and there’s probably been half a day where the players haven’t been focused on their job.”

Asked if he can see light at the end of the tunnel, Deans said: “Absolutely. 

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“I wouldn’t sit here now if I thought I was wasting my time. 

“Even 12 months ago, I wouldn’t have put my hand up to step in. 

“You have to be positive in sport, you can’t walk around feeling sorry for yourself. There’s no time for that. 

“What’s happened in the past is hopefully in the past and we look forward now. I’m sure there’s bigger and better things to come.”

The Jets are now able to sign players and coaches under the new ownership model, and Deans has previously stated that he wants to be considered for the job.

Robinson spent 11 games with the Jets last season before signing with the Wanderers at the end of 2020.

And while he copped an earful from disgruntled Jets fans on the sideline at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday night, Robinson wants the club to do well.

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“There’s good people in there, there’s good players in there,” he said.

“For Australian football in general, we’re trying to build the league, it’s important that we do that and give young players opportunities so we can’t have clubs going under. 

“We want to add clubs rather than have them go under. 

“It’s an important move, obviously people have backed it and I want them to do well.”

© AAP

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