Newcastle coach Gary van Egmond has explained his decision to coach from the sidelines instead of the grandstand because of the support it gives his players.
Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond has explained his decision to coach from the sidelines instead of sitting in the grandstand because of the support it gives his players.
Van Egmond has customarily coached from the sidelines during his career, except when serving suspensions.
However, the Jets boss sat in the coach’s box in the grandstands for the following three matches against Sydney FC, the Mariners and Melbourne Victory.
He watched the first half of the Newcastle’s intense battle against Perth last Saturday from the stands before coming down to the sideline for the second half in an effort to boost the support to his players.
“It’s a case of just looking at the game and seeing the home team looking to exert as much pressure on officials as they can,” Van Egmond said of the scenario.
“I’m not saying that officials bend to that, but from a player’s point of view it’s good to have your coach on the sideline giving encouragement and for them to know that they’ve got me in their corner.
“It gives them confidence and it’s amazing how many of not only the younger brigade, but the senior group enjoyed it.”
Van Egmond has not ruled out coaching from the grandstand via audio headsets in the future and said he was undecided where he will sit for this weekend’s fixture against the Western Sydney Wanderers at Parramatta Stadium.
“It’s horses for courses and we’ll see for this weekend,” he said.
“Against Perth you can actually get your message from the sideline out, there was 9000 there so they could hear me quite easily.
“If you play in front of 35,000 in Sydney it becomes very difficult.”
