The Central Coast Mariners face another period of uncertainty after coach Alen Stajcic quit the A-League club just days after leading them to their first finals series in seven years.
Stajcic has been hailed as one of the competition’s coaches of the season after guiding the Mariners to third on the table following three straight wooden spoons.
Central Coast had also enjoyed an uplift in crowds due to their brilliant turnaround, where they led the league for much of the campaign.
But days after their superb season ended in an elimination final loss to Macarthur FC, the Mariners face yet another reset after Stajcic and assistant Nahuel Arrarte both stepped down.
“After a long period of discussions and reflections I have decided that I want a new challenge and to go in a new direction in my coaching journey,” Stajcic said in a statement on Thursday.
That new direction is as yet unclear for Stajcic, who took over in March 2019 and won 19 matches in 59 games as head coach, including 12 of 27 in the season just completed.
A-League clubs Western United and Newcastle are both without coaches – though the Jets have been linked to Ange Postecoglou’s former assistant Arthur Papas.
But the Mariners are now once again in limbo – with no coach in place and several key players poised to depart.
Young gun Alou Kuol has already confirmed a move to German Bundesliga team VfB Stuttgart, Jack Clisby has been heavily linked with Perth Glory and Daniel De Silva is expected to join Macarthur FC.
“Alen and Nahuel came to the club to help restore pride and credibility,” chief executive Shaun Mielekamp said.
“I am confident that the legacy that Alen and Nahuel leave the club will remain with us going forward.
“The focus is now to ensure the club continues to move forward and build upon the success of this season and we are well progressed in setting up the structures for next season.
“Once things are finalised we will make announcements accordingly.”
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I think the recent coaches would have been green with envy at the chequebook Veart was given and squandered. In the recent years while their recruits were budget bench players from low level leagues like Boland, etc going the overage route with Lopez and Juande when you have players who are as good on the bench . Juric is a funny one, while he is not as good in the air as someone his height should be, he is a good finisher on the ground but he lacks strikers instinct , ends up in the wrong positions. On the one hand Juric failed to deliver in the regular season boosted by 3 penalties , but in the one final he has two so the one match he really performed in all season was in the most crucial. Goodwin has been the one great piece of business Veart has conducted.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
So you don't rate Carl Veart and the job Utd are doing in South Australia?
At work
Roar Rookie
I believe Rudan has signed on with Paramount+ and 10 as an analyst so hopefully too spare you guys. I didn’t mind him as a Fox Sports analyst, as a coach though he’s an angry man
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
No loss. Stajic if Jordan Murray hadn;t been bought by an Indian club and Stajic got his two foreign players earlier leaving Nisbet and Simon on the bench they would have missed the finals. There is no easier league in the world to succeed on a budget than the A-league with the untapped local talent. I dont see any real pro youth sensible coaches in the A-league. Even the best Corica loves his oldies . Kisnorbo I am not sure that its deliberate he is the one team that hasn't been laden with oldies this season, he played youth after injuries and has had heaps of success with them.
josh
Guest
Word is Staj wanted to bring in some serious talent for next season and was told no it won't be funded. So based on that we know he isn't going to WSW :laughing:
Tekkers
Roar Rookie
Extremely sad to see him go as a fan but he has brought so much joy to the whole central coast community over the past two years. Hey restructured our youth system which has been great and really built a strong foundation for next year. Disappointed in Charlsworth our owner hasn’t invested in the club since the start of 2019 and can’t see that investing now was the right thing to do to build on this small success. Unfortunately for the game to grow, we need regional teams in a national competition. That yeah won’t really threaten the title or might every 5 years, but will give the youth important game time and give a regional centre some sort of identity. CCM lost that identity over the past 7 years but we regained some sort of it back. I pray everyday no other a league fan has to got through what CCM fans went through. You may think it’s easy to just go out and support your club but when you know and see it being mis managed for so many years on end it gets tiring and eventually you just lose hope. Hopefully we can continue this success but right now it’s just hope.
LMH11
Guest
If Mariners end up with Rudan, there will be a lot of angry coasties. Would be happy to see Cahn get a go. In saying that very Sad to see Staj go.
Para+Ten ISUZU Subway support Australian Football
Roar Rookie
A real shame for CCM. I think Stajcic is making a poor decision here. Unless he has secured a top club to go to. CCM and Stajcic were slowly building something special---heading towards CCM's former glory days. Now; it's back to the drawing board. However, good luck to both parties for their futures.