Robert Stanton has landed his first senior coaching role in the Isuzu UTE A-League, replacing Arthur Papas at Newcastle Jets on a two-year contract.
Newcastle have turned to ex-Sydney FC assistant and youth team coach Stanton to usher in a new era in the Hunter Valley, where the 2008 champions have not featured in the finals since 2017-18 having finished 10th last season.
The Jets hot seat had been vacant after Papas resigned last week, with the former head coach since becoming technical director of Thai champions Buriram United.
“I’m excited to get started at the Jets,” Stanton said. “There’s a great culture here and we want to create a strong football environment for our players and staff.
“There are a lot of good people in Newcastle and we want to take the team to the next level and help our players further develop and challenge themselves. We want to get good people from the local community involved.
“I want this team to be a side that the Newcastle region is proud of and as we work tirelessly to try and achieve our goals.”
This will be the first time Stanton has been head coach of a senior side in the A-Leagues, but he has a track record of developing youth during his eight years with the Sky Blues.
He was initially appointed coach of Sydney’s youth side in 2015 and graduate to assistant coach of the men’s team in 2018, working alongside Steve Corica to win back-to-back Championships and the double in 2019 and 2020.
With the Sky Blues Academy, Stanton won first-grade promotion to NPLM NSW as well as the youth league title in 2016.
Stanton developed some of the most exciting prospects in Australian football who have gone on to either play for the Socceroos or earn moves abroad – the likes of Australia internationals Cam Devlin (Hearts), Marco Tilio (Melbourne City) and Joel King, Brighton and Hove Albion sensation Cam Peupion and Roma’s Cristian Volpato.
He was also A-Leagues All Stars assistant coach to Dwight Yorke for the 2022 clash with LaLiga powerhouse Barcelona.
“Rob comes to us from a winning club and knows how to drive success. He is highly rated by the leading figures in the game and now is the chance for him to step into the lead role and build on the foundation that has been established here over the last two years,” said Jets executive chairman Shane Mattiske
“Rob is a coach who has a great technical expertise and knows how hard you need to work to gain success, but importantly he is also someone who knows how to bring a team together to perform. He’s worked with many of our players and with the best players in the game through the All-Stars or through his involvement over a significant period at Sydney FC.
“He has real currency in the game and will step in immediately to focus on our first big goal – progression in the Australia Cup as part of preparing the team for the A-League season.
“Rob is driven to succeed and can see the potential that exists in the current team and the club as a whole. He is also a strong believer in the important of developing youth and is committed to bringing through talent that is emerging in this region.
“He also a strong feel for the way that a team from Newcastle needs to play and the values of the club and the community.
“We’re excited for Rob to begin work as we enter an exciting new chapter for football in this region as we now build towards the beginning of the 2023-24 season.”
The Jets have been busy reshaping their squad for 2023-24 following the departures of Angus Thurgate (Western United), Beka Mikeltadze, Manabu Saito, Mohamed Al-Taay (Wellington Phoenix), Jaushua Sotirio, Jack Duncan (Wellington Phoenix), and Matthew Jurman (Macarthur FC).
Newcastle have brought in Jacob Dowse (Perth Glory), Lucas Mauragis (returns from loan), Ryan Scott (Western United), Clayton Taylor, and Daniel Wilmering, while re-signing Kosta Grozos and Jason Hoffman.
Featured image: Newcastle Jets
