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Former Fulham assistant Scott Miller becomes Newcastle Jets head coach

Former Fulham assistant manager Scott Miller has become the youngest head coach in A-League history after being appointed by the Newcastle Jets on Thursday.

The 33-year-old takes the vacant position which was occupied by Phil Stubbins until he was sacked last month when Football Federation Australia took over the club from owner Nathan Tinkler.

Miller, who worked as part of national boss Ange Postecoglou's backroom staff in 2013, will be assisted by ex-Melbourne Victory deputy Jean-Paul de Marigny, the former Socceroo defender.

Both have signed two year contracts. De Marigny was Jets' assistant to Englishman Richard Money in the first season of the A-League a decade ago.

Without a professional playing career, Miller has a UEFA coaching A-licence as well as sports science and psychology degrees. He is a former coach of the U21 side at Fulham, where former Jets' striker Adam Taggart signed last year.

"It's the right time and the right place for me," Miller told ffa.com.au. "I jumped at this wonderful opportunity to take the next step in my coaching career as head coach at a club that's making a new beginning.

"I've heard a lot about the long and proud history of this football region and its passionate fans. Football clubs exist to bring joy to the people and that's a driving force in my thinking."

Miller and de Marigny have been appointed less than three weeks before pre-season training begins on July 6.

Newcastle, who finished in last place in the 2014-15 season, have only 13 players on their books for the next campaign which begins in October.

The club was formed in 2000 as part of the old National Soccer League. They were one of only three former NSL sides to become part of the A-League, which began in 2005.

The Jets were victorious in the 2008 Grand Final under Gary van Egmond to win their one and only A-League championship and made the round of 16 in the 2009 AFC Champions League.

In the 2014-15 season, they won only three of 27 games, after sacking several key players, including former Socceroos Joel Griffiths and David Carney, mid-campaign.

   

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