Central Coast Mariners have announced contract extensions for head coach Mark Jackson and assistant Danny Schofield.
Jackson and Schofield have signed new three-year deals with the Isuzu UTE A-League champions until 2027 after the club’s historic treble triumph.
The pair have been rewarded for overseeing the most successful season in Central Coast’s history as the Mariners did the Premiership-Championship double in the A-Leagues while also conquering the AFC Cup.
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It was the Mariners’ first Premier’s Plate since 2012 after outlasting Wellington Phoenix in the regular season.
“We are delighted to be able to extend Jacko and Danny’s contract and give them new deals with us at the Mariners,” said Central Coast sporting director Matt Simon.
“What the pair did last season in their first campaign in charge, not only with the success that they achieved on the pitch leading us to the treble, but also the culture that they brought, was incredible.
“Both of their characters and work ethic align perfectly to who we are as a club, and it is really exciting to have them continue with us to grow not only the first team but the Mariners as a whole.”
The 2023-24 campaign was Jackson’s first in charge of the Mariners after the former Leeds United youth coach arrived in Gosford to replace Nick Montgomery shortly before the season started.
With another former Leeds coach by his side in Schofield, the Mariners travelled over 100,000km in Asia as they became just the second Australian side to win an Asian continental title after Western Sydney Wanderers.
After sealing the Premiers Plate on the final day, the Mariners edged Al-Ahed in the AFC Cup decider before overcoming Melbourne Victory 3-2 in a thrilling Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final in front of more than 21,000 fans at Industree Group Stadium.
Since his appointment, reigning Coach of the Year Jackson boasts a 66% win percentage having only lost six games during his tenure, with four of those coming in succession to start the 2023-24 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
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“I am delighted to be able to extend my time here on the Central Coast alongside Danny Schofield. We had a clear vision of what we wanted to achieve when we arrived, we worked extremely hard with the rest of the staff to achieve that last season and we want to continue to build on that,” Jackson said.
“We want to continue to develop the players and team to be a club that everyone on the Coast can be proud of. We did that last season, giving the fans a lot to cheer about, and it is our job to do that again.
“I am really pleased to be staying with this great football club, I am extremely thankful for the support that the Chairman Rich Peil and Simmo gave us last season in everything that we did, and the trust shown by them in me to lead this team forward in the years to come.”
The Mariners have signed Lucas Mauragis, Haine Eames (scholarship contract), Sasha Kuzevski (promoted), Alfie McCalmont, Adam Pavlesic and Diesel Herrington for 2024-25, while re-signing Mikael Doka, Harrison Steele and Miguel Di Pizio.
Ronald Barcellos (end of loan), Jing Reec (end of loan), Dan Hall, Max Balard, Danny Vukovic (retired) and Josh Nisbet have departed Gosford.
Schofield added: “I am pleased to sign an extended contract to continue my coaching journey with the Mariners. Last season was an incredible experience, and we are all extremely proud of what we achieved.
“I am looking forward to working with Jacko, the rest of the staff and most importantly the players to develop our football and to continue our successes.
