Central Coast Mariners head coach Mark Jackson has been named Isuzu UTE A-League Coach of the Year, after his magnificent debut season in the competition.
Jackson was recruited by Central Coast in the off-season after the departure of Championship-winning coach Nick Montgomery.
The Englishman arrived on the Central Coast to orchestrate the Mariners’ title defence and was immediately faced with challenges as his side lost four league games on the bounce to begin the campaign.
What came next was an incredible turnaround in form. The Mariners lost just two of their next 23 regular season games to finish top of the table and secure the Premiers Plate, while competing in the club’s first AFC Cup campaign which, after more than 100,000 kilometres of travel to and from Asia, ended in continental glory.
Grand Final LIVE: Mariners, Victory battle for Isuzu UTE A-League Glory in Gosford
Jackson won the fan-voted Isuzu UTE A-League Coach of the Month award five times in a row from December to April as he led the Mariners to two trophies.
He received the Coach of the Year award prior to Central Coast’s Grand Final clash with Melbourne Victory at Industree Group Stadium on Saturday night.
A three-phase vote mechanism was used to crown Jackson as Coach of the Year. Each head coach casts a 3-2-1 vote on all coaches. In addition, a panel of football technology and media representatives casts their votes. There was also a fan-voted component.
