Paul Okon: John Hutchinson decision “not easy”

Paul Okon: John Hutchinson decision “not easy”

0
SHARE

New Central Coast Mariners coach Paul Okon has wasted little time in illustrating which direction he wants to take the side for the 2016-17 A-League season.

Speaking exclusively on Friday’s edition of the Daily Football Show, Okon claimed that the recent decision to part ways with Gosford Park legend John Hutchinson was necessary to put the club back on track.

“It’s a real sensitive issue,” said Okon.

“Hutchy (John Hutchinson) is a club legend, he is an A-League legend…there aren’t too many players who have played their whole career with one A-League club.

“But obviously coming in I wanted to take the club in a different direction.

“It wasn’t easy…but I felt it was the right thing moving forward for the club.”

Only appointed to the role at the start of the week, the ex-Socceroo says that a shortened five-week preseason with the squad does not worry him.

“It doesn’t sound long, but from where I’m coming from working with national teams, I work with a player for two or three days and then they are gone,”

“I’m not afraid of that…it certainly won’t be an excuse come round one.

“We’re not going to waste one minute on the training field.”

Having played all over the world during his career Okon has worked with some of football’s greatest coaching names, yet at Central Coast hopes to most reflect the style of the man who guided him at Leeds United in the early 2000s.

“The one that stands out the most for me would have to be Terry Venables, he was probably the most complete on and off the field,” said the 44-year-old.

“As a coach – training, tactics – he was first class…but also off the field, his management of the players, staff and everyone involved with the club was first class.

“That’s something at the Mariners I hope to emulate a bit…everyone is a tight-knight group, we don’t have any stars and everyone needs the support of eachother.

“It’s something that really attracted me to the club.”

LISTEN to the full chat and more on Friday’s Daily Football Show:

What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.