Hard work begins now for Alen Stajcic and the Central Coast Mariners, who are desperate to show the Hyundai A-League they’ll be a force to be reckoned with next season.
The two-time Premiers and one-time Champions have finished bottom of the table for the last two campaigns.
But ex-Westfield Matildas boss Stajcic, 45, believes his players and staff are united in their mission to change the perception of the Gosford-based club.
“It’s exciting to come back in and lay the foundations from the beginning but we know there’s a lot of hard work to do to make us competitive again,” Stajcic said.
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“Everyone’s come in from various different clubs from around the country and around the world and we’ve all got the same intent. We’re all hungry for success and want to try and build this club back up.
“There’s a lot of hard work for us to really dig us ourselves out of the perception that everyone has of us… that we’re not competitive, or that we’re at the bottom of the table.
“We want to show the A-League that we’re a force to be reckoned with.”
Stajcic and the Mariners completed their first week of pre-season on Friday and announced the signing of experienced Scottish defender Ziggy Gordon.
Central Coast have also acquired the services of defender Ruon Tongyik (Brisbane Roar), midfielder Giancarlo Gallifuoco (Western Sydney Wanderers) and attackers Abraham Majok (Western Sydney Wanderers) and Jai Ingham (Melbourne Victory).
Australia youth international Daniel De Silva also returns after his loan period with Champions Sydney FC in 2018/19.
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