FOLLOWING Saturday’s stunning 7-2 triumph over Sydney FC at Bluetongue Stadium, Graham Arnold said his decision to remain with Central Coast was one of the best he has made in his long, proud, and highly successful professional football career.
GRAHAM Arnold-s proposed switch to Sydney FC was a much-publicised affair.
For many months in late 2011 and early 2012, the Mariners mentor was rumoured to be making the move from coach of the yellow and navy to boss of the Sky Blues.
But following Saturday-s stunning 7-2 triumph over Sydney FC at Bluetongue Stadium, Arnold declared his decision to remain with Central Coast was one of the best he has made in his long, proud, and highly successful professional football career.
“I made a decision to stay here because I love this Club,” Arnold told the media. “I mean it. It-s a special Club.”
“We might not have what other Clubs have [in terms of resources] but what we do have is togetherness and a great culture that comes from the Chairman all the way down to our youth team.”
“We-re all mates, we get on and we work together. “
“We-ve got the smallest office staff, admin staff probably in the league but they work so hard for the Club and there-s a lot of passion around this Club.”
Arnold added that while it is his job to make the team play winning football, the most satisfaction he felt on Saturday came via the large, vociferous crowd that urged the team to success.
15,686 passionate supporters filled Gosford-s idyllic bayside arena to cheer the Mariners on.
While a strong number did venture from Sydney in support of the Sky Blues, no one can doubt the passion shown for the men in yellow.
“The biggest buzz I got was the crowd,” he said. “I-ve been asking for that and wanting that for two years.”
“We-ve performed at home exceptionally well over two years and tonight they [the fans] were here in numbers and I just hope they all come back for more,” he concluded.
Central Coast Mariners’ next home match is on Sunday 25 November against Brisbane Roar.
Kick-off is 5:00pm.
Please CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to the clash with Roar.
Please CLICK HERE to listen to the audio from Graham Arnold’s post match press conference on Saturday night.
