Former Leeds United analyst and Premier League cult hero Andres Clavijo has joined Central Coast Mariners’ coaching staff ahead of the 2023-24 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
Clavijo, who rose to fame as Marcelo Bielsa’s translator during his time in England, joins as an analyst and coaching assistant for the club’s men’s side, bolstering Nick Montgomery’s coaching staff this campaign.
“I am super excited to be on the Central Coast. It seems like an amazing place to work, and I cannot wait to get started with Monty, Sergio and all of the boys,” Clavijo said.
“After the success that the club has had over the past two seasons, I have a relationship with Monty, so we spoke. I told him that I wanted to come here and help the club progress and help to continue the success. That is why I am here and I can’t wait to contribute.”
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The Colombian previously spent time with both QPR and most famously, Leeds, where he helped the side achieve promotion to the Premier League in the 2019-20 season and was remembered as being former head coach Marcelo Bielsa’s translator for all media appearances and team talks.
Leeds striker Patrick Bamford gave an insight into how popular of a figure Clavijo was among the players during his stint at Elland Road.
“He’s a proper little geezer you know! He’s from London, he’s a good guy,” Bamford said on Redknapp’s Big Night Out on Sky One.
“He does the individual meetings for the translation as well and if you’re walking in there he’ll be like, ‘You’ve got it today, he’s on a mad one!’.
Clavijo followed Bielsa out the door in February 2022 when the now Uruguay coach parted ways with the club.
Montgomery said he is thrilled to welcome Clavijo to Gosford ahead of the upcoming season, as they plot a push for back-to-back Championships.
“I have been speaking to Andres for a while and he was looking for a new challenge. He will add great value to the football staff in many areas where we need to continue to improve,” Montgomery said.
“His popularity during his time at Leeds and working with a manager the calibre of Bielsa speaks volumes about his character.”
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