Central Coast Mariners FC can today confirm that it has signed Head Coach Phil Moss to an extended contract through to the completion of the Hyundai A-League 2016/17 season.
After spending three years as Graham Arnold’s assistant at the Mariners from mid-2010, Moss was promoted to the role of Head Coach at the Club in November 2013 when Arnold departed for J.League outfit Vegalta Sendai.
In his first – albeit part – campaign as Mariners boss, Moss guided the Club to third place in the Hyundai A-League 2013/14 season, to the Hyundai A-League Preliminary Final, and to within minutes of qualification for the knockout phase of the 2014 AFC Champions League.
The former National Soccer League defender – whose previous contract with the Club was due to expire at the completion of Hyundai A-League season ten – said he’s thrilled to have received such a public show of faith to lead the Club’s Football Department through to 2017 by Chairman Michael Charlesworth, the Mariners Board, and senior management.
Indeed, should Moss – as anticipated – see out his new contract it would mean the Mariners will have had just three Head Coaches in charge since the Club was founded in 2004 – Lawrie McKinna, Arnold, and Moss.
“I’m obviously very proud to have extended my contract with the Mariners, a Club I love to work at and with,” Moss said on Friday. “For Mike Charlesworth, the Board, and our CEO Bruce Stalder to have entrusted me to head up our Football Department for the next three years underlines how committed Mike is to the Club, and highlights that we’re all on the same page in regards to where we see the Mariners now and into the future.”
“Football is a team game and it takes a team effort to achieve success. Over the past few months, Mike (Charlesworth) has invested significantly in the Club to allow us to begin putting in place a holistic football philosophy which not only concerns the first team, but also addresses youth and community pathways.”
“I feel that everything is moving in a very positive direction on and off the field at the Mariners, that we’re bringing in and retaining the right people at the Club at all levels, and that we’re building on our foundations for future success domestically and internationally.”
Moss also acknowledged the role of his squad in helping him secure his extended deal.
“Our players represented the Club tremendously last season,” he said. “We went through a tough patch in February, but the group showed its unity and ability as the campaign continued to not only finish high on the table.”
“Certainly the performances of our players helped instill belief into everyone at the Club that the future is bright, and I am looking forward to leading this wonderful club & football team into what promises to be a memorable tenth anniversary season,” Moss concluded.
On behalf of the Chairman, the Board, and the Club, Mariners CEO Bruce Stalder said: “We feel that Phil Moss is the right person to take the Club forward from a football perspective over the coming years.”
“He has a wide range of experience in the game, from first team management through to youth development and grassroots and community football coaching.”
“At just 42 Phil is one of the up-and-coming coaches in Australian football – as recognised by his recent involvement with the Foxtel A-League All Stars – so we’re delighted to have been able to provide him with the stability and support he needs to ensure that the Mariners continue challenge for domestic silverware, and qualify regularly for the AFC Champions League.”
