Football
ESPN staff 9y

A-League: Central Coast Mariners appoint Tony Walmsley as head coach

Caretaker boss Tony Walmsley has been confirmed as permanent head coach of the Central Coast Mariners for the 2015-16 A-League season.

Walmsley will become the Gosford-based club's fourth head coach in their 10-year history following Lawrie McKinna, Graham Arnold and Phil Moss. He took over on a temporary basis last month after Moss was sacked following a run of poor results.

His previous association with the club includes three years as Mariners' youth team coach, winning the 2011-12 A-League National Youth League. English-born Walmsley is also a former Head of Academy recruiting for League One side, Sheffield United.

The appointment comes as Central Coast Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth tries to win back fans after disappointing crowds this season at Bluetongue Stadium. Although Central Coast won last Saturday's home game against Western Sydney Wanderers, they have only five victories in 25 matches this season to sit in eighth position in the 10-team league.

"With such a small population base over a large geographical area we need to do something special next season to attract new fans and bring some of the old ones back," Charlesworth told the Central Coast Mariners official website.

"Without fear of failure we simply have to innovate and entertain and I believe Tony has both the understanding of this task and the experience to see this challenge through successfully."

With no chance of making the 2015 A-League finals, Central Coast will finish the season with away games at Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory. Walmsley will oversee the last two games in a caretaker capacity before officially beginning his new role on May 1.

The Mariners were one of the eight original clubs in the A-League. They were champions in 2013 under Arnold and won the Premier's Plate in 2008 and 2012.

^ Back to Top ^