Fulham assistant Scott Miller new Jets coach
Football Federation Australia have placed their faith in the A-League’s youngest-ever coach to drive Newcastle’s desperately-needed revival.
The FFA, who now own the struggling Jets, have appointed former Fulham assistant Scott Miller as the club’s new head coach.
The 33-year-old Australian rookie has signed a two-year deal with the franchise after spending nearly a decade at Craven Cottage during Fulham’s time in the English Premier League.
• Premier League club sacks trio for racist orgy
• Matildas progress in World Cup
Miller was a part of the Socceroos’ backroom staff in 2013 under Ange Postecoglou, who headed the panel in charge of finding a replacement for Phil Stubbins after he was axed when the FFA took over from Nathan Tinkler last month.
Joining him as new senior assistant coach will be successful Melbourne Victory assistant Jean-Paul de Marigny, who has also signed a two-year contract.
It will be De Marigny’s second stint with the Jets after he assisted Englishman Richard Money in the side’s maiden 2005-06 season.
The 51-year-old played a significant part in the Victory’s 2014-15 championship title under coach Kevin Muscat.
Miller will have his work cut out for him – there are still 11 available spots on the Jets’ roster less than three weeks before the club begins formal pre-season training on July 6.
“It’s the right time and the right place for me,” he said.
“I jumped at this wonderful opportunity to take the next step in my coaching career as head coach at a club that’s making a new beginning.”
A-League boss Damien de Bohun said the combination of Miller and de Marigny was ideally suited to plans for the club’s comeback.
“Scott is an incredibly driven young Australian coach,” de Bohun said.
“He set off for England on a one-way ticket almost a decade ago and spent seven years in the English Premier League working with world-class players and managers.”