Central Coast Mariners are hopeful of collaborating with Premier League giants Manchester United after confirmation that club’s Sporting Director Mike Phelan will return to the Red Devils on a temporary basis.
Phelan will return to Old Trafford for the next five months to take up the role of United’s first-team coach under new boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
We can confirm that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been appointed as caretaker manager until the end of the 2018/19 season.
He will be joined by Mike Phelan as first-team coach, together with Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna. #MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 19, 2018
United sacked coach Jose Mourinho on Tuesday and have wasted little time bringing in a new management team including Phelan, who worked at the club previously under Sir Alex Ferguson.
While he will leave Gosford immediately to take up his new role, Phelan reaffirmed his commitment to the Central Coast Mariners.
“Taking on a temporary coaching role at Manchester United is extremely exciting,” Phelan said.
“It’s also a really positive step for the Mariners to have a direct link with Manchester United as I will continue my role as Sporting Director.
“I’m still a Mariner. I’ve put something in place that I want to see through. This might be a small distraction, but it’s with one of the biggest clubs in the world that I simply couldn’t turn down.
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“I was offered the opportunity at the Mariners to pass on my experiences and wisdom in order to develop the football club back into the football club that it once was.
“A football club that produces players for the Mariners and beyond. It’s an exciting project, that’s my remit and we’ve put a structure in place with full-time academy coaches that will ensure that we are prepared for success.
“Part of the discussion with Manchester United was that I will still be available for the Mariners, this is a dual role. I will take the first opportunity possible to get back to the Central Coast. I’m not going anywhere, I am one phone call away from anyone at the Mariners.
“I will be back on the Central Coast as soon as I can. There’s obviously a few issues to sort through at Manchester United which will take time, but once we’ve worked through that I look forward to getting back to the Central Coast,” Phelan said.