The Central Coast Mariners have today appointed Hyundai A-League Championship Winner, Mike Mulvey, as the club’s new Head Coach until at least the end of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season.
Mulvey was tonight unveiled at an exclusive Member’s function on the Central Coast where Members took part in a Q&A with Mike Charlesworth. In addition to their conversation with the owner who Skyped in from the UK, Mariners Members were surprised by the arrival of the club’s new Head Coach who took part in a press conference.
Unlike conventional press conferences, Mulvey was fronted by Mariners Members who posed questions to their new Head Coach which was broadcasted live on the club’s Facebook Page.
The Manchester-born tactician arrives on the Central Coast with proven Hyundai A-League success, having claimed the competition’s top prize in 2014. Mulvey was named Hyundai A-League Coach of the Year for leading Brisbane Roar to a record-breaking third Championship during the 2013/14 campaign.
In Mulvey’s 2013/14 Championship winning season, his side were also crowned Premiers when they finished 10 points clear of second-placed Western Sydney Wanderers at the end of the 27-game-regular-season.
Mulvey praised the tight-knit Central Coast community and spoke about the importance of winning back their trust by putting together a team that everyone can be proud to call their own.
“I couldn’t be more delighted to be returning to Australia and to embrace the opportunity that exists here on the Central Coast,” Mulvey said. “The Mariners are a club with a rich history and genuine tradition. During the first decade, they demanded success and developed some wonderful players. My task in the coming years is very clear – I want to restore that culture of ambition and promote the hungriest young talent in the country.
“One thing that always impressed me about the Mariners was how connected this club was with its community. Historically, the Mariners are at their best when they are side by side, shoulder-to-shoulder with everyone from Berowra to Budgewoi. We can’t achieve anything without their support.
“More than any other A-League club, this is the club of the people. Winning back their trust, and respect, is imperative for us in winning football matches. We want to give the whole region a team to be proud of. We want them to feel that it’s their team and we’re fighting for this community every time we put on the jersey,” Mulvey said.
Central Coast Mariners Chief Executive Officer, Shaun Mielekamp welcomed Mulvey to the Mariners with open arms.
“It is with great pride that I get to welcome our new Head Coach, Mike Mulvey directly to our members,” Mielekamp said. “As a football club, we are really proud to be able to unveil Mike in a truly Coastie manner by immediately introducing him to our members.
“We set a very high benchmark and threshold for the level of experience, credibility and ability required for the role and from the outset, it was clear that Mike was the perfect fit for what our club needs.
“Mike is one of a very select few that has won the A-league and from the moment we first connected it was clear that Mike’s vision for our club is perfectly aligned to where we want to head and how we are going to get there.
“It is right now, that the hard work, planning and innovative approaches start on our journey towards the future, we said this could be the most important appointment in the history of the club and we know that the future for our club is in the safe hands of Mike Mulvey,” Mielekamp said.
After putting pen-to-paper on a two-year-agreement, Mulvey will take charge of the Central Coast Mariners at the commencement of the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 Pre-Season.
