Former Leeds United coach Mark Jackson is back in football after landing the managerial position at Australian side Central Coast Mariners. The 45-year-old, who originally joined the Elland Road coaching staff as under 15’s coach, worked his way up through the academy set-up before taking over the head coach role for the newly promoted U23’s team as they moved into the Premier League 2 Division 2, earning promotion in his first campaign with the squad.
Jackson progressed into the role of first-team coach at Leeds under Jesse Marsch, a position that he held until December 2022 when he left to join MK Dons as manager. He was sacked by the League One side after they were relegated to League 2 after registering just six wins in 25 games.
However, he’s now back in management down under and is looking forward to getting going. He said: “I am proud and extremely excited to be joining the Central Coast Mariners.
“To be a part of a club with a community and family feel, that wants youth players to come in and that everyone on that pitch wants to give everything for is really nice and something that I want to see continue. I want to play front-foot football and dominate every part of the game.
“That is my philosophy, that is how I want my teams to play, and that is what I will bring to the Central Coast. The club is in a fantastic position, so I want to continue that good work and help the club grow and continue to move forward.”
Central Coast Mariners Sporting Director Matt Simon added: “I’m really excited to welcome Mark to the club. After the very first conversation we had with Mark, it was very clear he is the right person to lead the club into the future.
“His experience and track record with youth development was a standout and fits in with exactly what we want to continue to do at the club.”
Central Coast Mariners Chairman Richard Peil was equally excited for Jackson to take the reins. He said: “With the departure of Monty and Sergio, the search for replacement leadership has taken centre stage.
“While we had a substantial number of applications from people around the world, Mark immediately showed that he is the perfect fit for our club. Having spent several seasons in youth development at Leeds United, many of which were under a World Class coach in Marcelo Bielsa, and with our focus on Youth Development, it was a no brainer when Mark put his hand up for the role.
“Mark will fit seamlessly into the community and is a great cultural fit for us as a club.”
Former Leeds United and QPR analyst Andres Clavijo, who acted as Bielsa’s translator for much of his time at Elland Road, is also at the Mariners after joining the club in the summer.
“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 on arrival.
“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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