April 12, 2015 09:35:26 UK
Tony Walmsley has admitted he could stay on as Central Coast Mariners coach next season.
Walmsley has been interim coach since the Gosford club sacked Phil Moss five weeks ago.
He had only been with the Mariners for a fortnight at that stage, having returned from his role with Sheffield United’s academy in England to become Central Coast’s technical director.
The club appointed him until the end of this season, while upgrading captain John Hutchinson to a player-coach role as his assistant.
I’m here for the players and to see the rewards of their efforts and see them feel good. When I came in they weren’t feeling too good about themselves and that’s the thing I’m most pleased with.
Tony Walmsley
Speaking after Hutchinson’s final home game before retiring, the 1-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers who are 34.00 to win the Asian Champions League, Walmsley would not confirm reports that he was about to be offered the head coach job for next season.
But he indicated that, rather than bring in someone from outside the club, he might take up the position on a permanent basis.
Asked about the speculation, he said: “I’m enjoying it thoroughly at the moment. As technical director it’s allowed me to get a first-hand look at the players and live the first steps of a proactive and entertaining playing style and it’s really enjoyable.
“I’m here for the players and to see the rewards of their efforts and see them feel good. When I came in they weren’t feeling too good about themselves and that’s the thing I’m most pleased with.
“There’s a lot of satisfaction for me for either doing the job or finding the right person to do the job. But they [the new coach] have to be aligned in our thinking … getting the wrong person is the big risk at this stage.”
Reports suggest a decision about who will coach the Mariners in 2015-16 will be made before the end of this season.
Whoever is appointed will have to work with Hutchinson, who has been told he will be kept on the coaching staff after he retires as a player in a fortnight.
Central Coast are 3.75 to win their next match against Wellington Phoenix, who are 1.80 with the draw 3.75.
Don’t forget all of the fantastic markets we have to offer, including In-Play betting, can be accessed on your mobile phone with the new and improved bet365 On The Move.
View all Soccer betting
