Arnold extends Coast contract

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Central Coast Mariners are pleased to announce that 2013 Hyundai A-League Championship winning coach Graham Arnold has extended his deal with the Club for a further two seasons.

Central Coast Mariners are pleased to announce that 2013 Hyundai A-League Championship winning coach Graham Arnold has extended his deal with the Club for a further two seasons.

Arnold-s new contract at the Mariners ensures he will remain as Head Coach of the men from Bluetongue Stadium until the completion of the Hyundai A-League 2015/16 campaign.

With his medium term future settled, the astute Arnold explained that he is excited by the challenge to bring continued success to the Mariners and develop a new wave of Australia-s best young professionals.

“When I first came to the Club we had a three-year plan that we wanted to implement,” Arnold said. “That three-year plan culminated in our Grand Final win last season, and the departure of an exciting batch of bright young players to overseas Clubs. I am extremely proud of the boys we-ve developed and are now playing abroad.”

“Now I am excited by the challenge to continue to be successful in the Hyundai A-League and AFC Champions League while we groom more future Australian national teams representatives.”

Arnold took charge of the Mariners in 2010 following a long and largely fruitful period as a key member of the Australian national team coaching structure.

Indeed, during his time with Football Federation Australia Arnold was Head Coach of the Socceroos during Australia-s first ever AFC Asian Cup appearance (2007), and Assistant Coach of Australia-s senior men-s national team at the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups held in Germany and South Africa respectively.

Arnold also led the Australian U23 team to the Olympics in 2008, navigating his squad through tightly contested Asian Football Confederation qualifying to reach the Beijing Games.

Arnold said his ambition to coach overseas has not changed, however he will only depart the Mariners when the right opportunity presents itself.

“I love this Club and love living on the Coast,” he said. “However at some point I do want to test myself abroad and implement what I have learnt throughout my coaching career at the highest level possible.”

“But right now there is no other Club that offers me the chance to work in such a positive environment with a great group of players and staff.”

“When I first came to the Club we had 17 different training pitches in a season. Now we have our own training complex that is second to none in the competition. I truly believe there are exciting times ahead at the Mariners.”

“I recently bought a property on the Coast so that should highlight how committed I am to continuing my work and being successful with the Club,” Arnold concluded.