Tony Walmsley will continue as Central Coast Mariners’ head coach for the 2015-16 A-League season after the club confirmed it will make his caretaker role permanent ahead of the start of the next campaign.
Walmsley, who previously held the position of technical director in Gosford, took over as interim coach following the sacking of his predecessor Phil Moss early last month as part of new executive vice-chairman Peter Storrie’s plans for the restructuring of the cash-strapped club.
The Mariners said they implemented a worldwide search for a suitable permanent replacement for Moss before opting to stick with Walmsley, who helped with that search and will now sign a one-year contract from 1 May.
“Entertainment, vision, flair, innovation, training methods and the introduction of young players into the club’s football department along with recruitment of players who can fit into this mantra has led the club to decide that Walmsley is the key to the Mariners’ football moving forward,” the club said in a statement.
Since being handed the reigns on a temporary basis, Walmsley has overseen six matches, winning two, losing three – all away from home, including a 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Brisbane Roar – and drawing one. The Mariners currently lie in eighth place, on 23 points, with two games to play this season.
“Coaching in the Hyundai A-League is the aspiration of a many coaches, both here and overseas,” Walmsley said. “It comes with an incredible responsibility and at a time when sustainability is demanded as the league continues to evolve.
“When Peter Storrie asked if I would consider taking the head coach role at the Mariners I needed to weigh up the opportunity carefully. It is an honour to be invited to take on the role, but I needed to be clear about my commitment to success, identify what success looks like and how I can make a difference.
“The club’s mantra is entertainment, youth and community. As technical director I was brought in to deliver a football program aligned to the commercial objectives of the club. This means a recruitment charter that identifies players with embedded talent that can be identified, contribute on the pitch, developed and sold.”
