The Central Coast Mariners can announce the departure of club legend and current A-League Men’s Head Coach Nick Montgomery to take up the role of Head Coach at Hibernian FC in the Scottish Premiership.
Alongside Montgomery, Assistant Coach Sergio Raimundo and Goalkeeper Coach Miguel Miranda will also depart the club.
First joining the Central Coast Mariners as a player before the 2012/13 season, Montgomery played a crucial role in helping secure the club our first A-League Championship.
The midfielder went on to play four more seasons following that with the Mariners, amassing 129 total appearances while also wearing the captain’s armband for two years.
Montgomery hung up the boots at the conclusion of the 2016/17 season, taking up an off-field role with the Mariners. From there the 41-year-old worked his way up the ranks, spending time in various positions including as an A-League Assistant Coach.
The Englishman earned the position of Head Coach of the Mariners Men’s NPL side in 2019, where he helped produce some of the Mariners’ finest footballing talent.
During this period, he also secured the Premiership/Championship double, before being awarded the A-League Men’s Head Coach position.
Alongside his Assistant Sergio Raimundo, Montgomery had a successful first campaign in charge, finishing the season in fifth place.
A tight defeat to Adelaide saw the Mariners knocked out in the first week of finals, before the likes of Mark Birighitti and Kye Rowles were sold to high profile overseas clubs.
Heading into his second campaign, Montgomery assembled a team filled with both fresh and familiar faces, as he set his eyes on the Championship.
After an incredible regular season for the Mariners, which included scoring the most goals in a single season by the club, the Mariners finished in second place and secured a position in the AFC Cup.
With Montgomery at the helm, the Central Coast finished the finals as A-League Men’s Champions, scoring an incredible 10 goals across three matches while only conceding twice.
This included a remarkable 6-1 victory over League Premiers Melbourne City to secure the club’s second A-League Championship.
Montgomery now leaves the Mariners to head abroad with Hibernian FC, concluding his time at the club with two Championships, one as a player and one as a coach.
Central Coast Mariners Chairman Richard Peil thanks both Montgomery and Raimundo for their time at the club, wishing them both well for the future in an open letter to members.
“I sincerely thank Nick and Sergio, two of the hardest working people I’ve ever met, and wish them all the best as they navigate their next challenge. Moments like this prove why our club is so great, we give opportunities to talented people, and when they perform like our coaching team did last year, bigger clubs will take notice. At the end of the day, we want everyone at the club to reach their potential, and move on to their next challenge,” Peil said.
“We did everything we could financially to keep both Monty and Serg at the club, however it was obvious that this opportunity was one that was too great for them to pass up.
“I believe we have recruited exceptionally this off season, and we are poised for another big year, even though we still have one of the leanest operating budgets and youngest squads in the league. Matt Simon, our Sporting Director, has already flagged key candidates that will suit our club, and he has been inundated with potential coaches from all over the world.
“We will take the time to ensure we get the right type of coach to continue the legacy left by Monty and Serg, and ensure the DNA of the Mariners, including youth development, is continued for the foreseeable future.”
Montgomery issued an open letter to Central Coast Mariners members after an incredible eleven seasons with the club. This letter included the below snippet, where he thanked everyone involved for his time at the club and wished the Mariners the very best for the future.
“11 years ago, I arrived on the Central Coast with my family, and I didn’t know what to expect. What I found was a beautiful place and community to match,” Montgomery said.
“I will never forget the support the fans have given me and my family. I am so happy I could deliver that trophy back to the Coast, for them and for the community. Together as one family we made what people thought was impossible, possible.
“It’s time for a new chapter, but you will always be in my heart, and I will be supporting from afar.”
Central Coast Mariners Sporting Director Matt Simon spoke on the next steps moving forward for the club, as we look to appoint our next Head Coach.
“I would like to start by personally thanking Monty and Sergio for everything they have done for me and the club. We have been inundated with interest from all over the world for the vacant position of Head Coach of the Central Coast Mariners. We have already been speaking to potential candidates we believe will help to continue the club’s trajectory,” Simon said.
“Everyone at the club knows and understands how important this next appointment of a Head Coach is, and we want to ensure that we make the right decision for the long term. This job is the most sought after in the A-League, and we will continue to work hard behind the scenes to make sure that the right candidate is selected to lead us forward into the future.”
Mariners Men’s Academy NPL First Grade coach Abbas Saad has been moved into the role of Interim Head Coach and will hold the position until a permanent replacement for Montgomery is selected.
