Aussie gamble pays off as Mariners boss eyes treble

Just who is Mark Jackson?

It's a question most followers of the A-League Men were asking when, after Nick Montgomery left for Scottish club Hibernian last September, the Central Coast Mariners unveiled Jackson as his replacement.

Jackson's appointment was out of left field.

The Yorkshireman had never coached in Australia, had only recently been sacked by MK Dons following their relegation to England's fourth tier, and his entire playing career had been spent in the lower leagues of English football.

If it weren't for the 46-year-old crossing paths with Montgomery on a coaching seminar - and a stubborn goal frame at Burton Albion in his last game with MK Dons - Jackson might not have made it to Gosford.

"Did I think I'd be going over to Australia? No, but when you're in a position where you're not working you've got to listen to every opportunity," Jackson told AAP.

"(At MK Dons) we were inches away from staying up.

"We drew 0-0 in the last game of the season, had 33 shots, dominated all the stats, ball cleared off the goal line, hit the post. If a goal goes in it would have been different, but these things happen for a reason.

"I knew that I had to change how I approach things - a hard thing for me was understanding when you have to relinquish control."

Nine months on, there can be few left questioning Jackson's credentials.

Following his arrival at Gosford and, after initially encountering some tough results, things have only gone one way: up.

aussie gamble pays off as mariners boss eyes treble

Mark Jackson (centre) has made a huge impression since being appointed coach of the Mariners. (Morgan Hancock/AAP PHOTOS)

The Mariners have sealed an A-League Men premiership, the AFC Cup and can add a second straight championship with a win over Melbourne Victory in Saturday's grand final.

"I want to help build the club and help make the club sustainable and successful," Jackson said.

Before taking the plunge into first-team management, Jackson had spent time at Leeds United working under Marcelo Bielsa.

The Argentine - affectionately known as "El Loco'', or "the madman" - showed Jackson the dedication it takes to make it as a manager.

"We had to align with how he played," Jackson said.

"I was in a privileged position where I don't think there was any other English coach who had been that close to him.

"(Bielsa and successor Jesse Marsch) were extremes of football and personality and you subconsciously take a lot from people without knowing it.

"You look at what they did well and then sprinkle your personality through it."

Jackson has done that to great effect this year and stands just 90 minutes from a historic treble.

His venture to take a job on the other side of the world may have been seen as a gamble, but it's close to being the perfect pay-off.

"We're fighting every day to be successful and we're really pleased with how the season has gone," Jackson said.

"The success we've had mirrors the work from the staff and the players.

"Everybody's been pulling in the same direction and working towards that shared goal."

OTHER NEWS

18 minutes ago

Mets Morning News for June 23, 2024

20 minutes ago

The late 'Jeopardy!' host Alex Trebek will be honored with a U.S. postage stamp

21 minutes ago

Researchers 'crack the code' for quelling electromagnetic interference

21 minutes ago

Kraken-Canucks Set To Kick Off 2024-25 Pre-Season Slate

21 minutes ago

Washington Commanders: Amazon’s Jeff Bezos Was Outbid By Josh Harris For Ownership, Per Report

21 minutes ago

NASCAR race today: Live updates for USA TODAY 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

21 minutes ago

UAE: FTA urges taxpayers to register to avoid penalty

21 minutes ago

Nostalgic for your turbulent youth? Read this novel and you won’t be

21 minutes ago

Phil Foden escapes England’s Euro 2024 criticism – by going fishing

21 minutes ago

Jake White’s bizarre claim about URC final referee that dates back to 2022

21 minutes ago

England confirm replacement for suspended Charlie Ewels ahead of All Blacks series

21 minutes ago

Starmer tells private special school to keep costs down to cope with his VAT plan

21 minutes ago

Inside the clinic where men get their genitals plumped for $15,000, in a procedure that's not FDA approved

21 minutes ago

I'm a collectibles expert - here are the 1980s toys from your childhood that are now worth a fortune

21 minutes ago

We took a road trip to Iraq via 21 countries - and ended up staying longer than expected...

21 minutes ago

My son died of a heroin overdose- here's what I wish I knew and how you can save your own child

21 minutes ago

I'm a scientist who believes plants are CONSCIOUS - here are signs that prove they have intelligence

21 minutes ago

Video: Let him play the final! Fans demand viral German saxophone man is allowed to perform at the Euro 2024 final after videos of him delighting fans goes viral

21 minutes ago

Video: Watch as Ryan Garcia tries his hand at STAND-UP COMEDY with excruciating routine following his doping ban

21 minutes ago

Video: Harry Kane hits back at Gary Lineker and Co for their criticism of England after dire Denmark draw and calls for ex-players turned pundits to 'remember what it was like to wear the shirt'

24 minutes ago

Alex Lees and Ollie Robinson hit hundreds as Durham batters dominate at Essex

24 minutes ago

Armed militants in Dagestan kill priest and police in attacks on churches, synagogue and police post

24 minutes ago

More than 1,300 pilgrims died during the Hajj this year amid scorching heat, Saudi health minister says

26 minutes ago

Eagles TE Dallas Goedert could have a breakout season under new OC Kellen Moore

26 minutes ago

Sister reveals how her brother's ex-girlfriend is getting his $250,000 life insurance payout - in heartbreaking cautionary tale which should serve as a warning to ALL Americans

26 minutes ago

REVEALED: The huge stock purchase this year by Warren Buffett that didn't show up in his portfolio

29 minutes ago

Russia accuses Ukraine of deadly drone attacks in Crimea's Sevastopol

29 minutes ago

Six stars who quit Midsomer Murders and why - from health concerns to show complaints

29 minutes ago

Opinion: Sorry, James Carville, but Joe Biden is the best bet to beat Trump

29 minutes ago

Pressure on Proteas after England smash United States to reach T20 World Cup semi-finals

29 minutes ago

Switzerland vs Germany LIVE! Euro 2024 match stream, latest score and goal updates today

29 minutes ago

Suns still unsure about King as Magpies await

29 minutes ago

Pearson gearing up for busy summer season

29 minutes ago

The Boys May Finally Get a Supernatural Reunion Going

29 minutes ago

Graham: Senate colleagues trying to ‘destroy’ conservative Supreme Court justices with ethics reform

30 minutes ago

Jordan grabs hat-trick to set England up for a place in T20 semi-finals

30 minutes ago

Geylang International women’s team end Lion City Sailors’ unbeaten run of over two years

32 minutes ago

Election campaign day 32: Fresh betting blow for Tories

32 minutes ago

Scotland set for crucial match

32 minutes ago

Tornado threat issued for New England and regions of Northeast — including NYC