Vs Jets Sunday 16th 4:30pm

Going to be in Wellington for a sports tournament...Keen to go to my first real home game! How long does it take to get from Naenae to the stadium?

Former England manager Steve McClaren puts hand up for Jets job

BY JAMES GARDINER AND BRETT KEEBLE

08 Oct, 2011 04:00 AM


FORMER England manager Steve McClaren is among a number of high-profile overseas coaches who have expressed an interest in the vacant position at the Newcastle Jets.
And in a further affirmation of Nathan Tinkler�s commitment to the Jets and Knights, one of his companies, Hunter Ports, was unveiled yesterday as the major sponsor of both clubs for the next two years.

McClaren resigned from English Championship club Nottingham Forest on Monday after just 10 games in charge.

Jets chief executive Robbie Middleby said they had begun the process of finding a replacement for Branko Culina, who was sensationally sacked on Tuesday.

��We are not just looking for a great tactician. We want the whole package,�� he said.

Middleby would not divulge how many applicants have contacted the club, or their identities, to try to keep the focus on the team�s A-League season-opener against Melbourne Heart at Ausgrid Stadium today.

But the Newcastle Herald understands the Jets have received close to 60 inquiries or applications, including an email from a representative of McLaren, the former Wolfsburg, FC Twente and Middlesbrough boss.

Though pleased by the calibre of applicants, Jets management will consider several factors, including affordability, when appointing Culina�s replacement.

Apart from running the A-League squad, the new coach must have or quickly develop an affinity with the Newcastle and Hunter region, and be conscious of the need to foster junior development and build strong ties with their 9000 members and the greater community.

��The priority is the game tomorrow,�� Middleby emphasised yesterday.

��After that we will start compiling a short list. There is a defined process to go through and a number of boxes that need to be ticked.

��There are a lot of things we want to do in the community and with our youth system.��

McClaren led FC Twente to the Dutch first division title in 2009-10 and had a short stint in the German Bundesliga with Wolfsburg before joining Notts.

He replaced Sven-G�ran Eriksson as England manager after the 2006 World Cup but he was sacked the following year when they failed to qualify for Euro 2008.

Championship-winning former Jets coach Gary van Egmond, who Culina replaced in 2009, remains the favourite.

The multi-million dollar sponsorship, while generating exposure on the front of both Jets A-League and Youth League jerseys as well as the Knights� NRL and NYC teams, will involve a substantial investment in community and youth programs and events.

Caretaker coach Craig Deans said he was pleased with the way he and the players have moved on after the extraordinary events of Tuesday, when Culina was sacked and the club moved to have Football Federation Australia annul marquee player Jason Culina�s contract.

Professional Footballers Australia chief executive Brendan Schwab anticipated hearing from the Jets next week regarding Jason�s dispute resolution process.

��We�re still waiting for the next move from the club,�� Schwab said.

Meanwhile, punters have gone cold on the Jets on the eve of their first game.

TAB Sportsbet media manager Matt Jenkins said the Jets had drifted in all markets except the wooden spoon. One punter wagered $3000 yesterday on the Jets at $6 to finish last, and they are now a $4.50 third favourite for the spoon behind Gold Coast ($3.75) and Wellington ($4).

Depends on your mode of transport of course...30-40mins door to door if you include parking and walk up.

Let's hope Dura's baby doesn't arrive early or we'd be f**ked.

Not convinced by Downey, so would prefer a 4-4-2 I think

                  Warner
Muscat Sigmund Durante Lochead
   Ward   Brown   Smith   Daniel
             Bertos Greenacre

Sunday
16 Oct

Max 14�C
MIN 7�C

Showers. Southerlies.

Please oh please Ricki play this:
            Paston
Downey Dura Siggy Lochhead
            Manny
   Ward               Ifill
           Sanchez
      Smith       Greeny
Bench:Warner, Lindsay/Daniel, Bertos, Brown.

Would love it. Diamond midfield which we would play well in I reckon. But we would have to be sure that Downey could do a job at RB, and if he can it frees up Manny into DM. Also Smith working off Greeny and could always put Bertos on for Ward and put Ward on bench, but I personally prefer Ward.

I'll most likely catch a train. Have to think whether I want to go by myself though.

Easy solution, detour via the BackBencher between train station and Cake Tin. You will not be alone.

I'd love to know on what basis that everyone is talking up Lindsay....?

He probably will get his coaching instructions from Ryan Nelsen via twitter and not from Ricki.

He probably will get his coaching instructions from Ryan Nelsen via twitter and not from Ricki.

6 more sleeps!

I'm excited! already mentally planning what i'll be wearing on Sunday and carefully monitoring my facial hair situation so that I have the right length on game day!

6 more sleeps!

I'm excited! already mentally planning what i'll be wearing on Sunday and carefully monitoring my facial hair situation so that I have the right length on game day!

Perfect

Need to buy my season pass.

Has anyone seen posters or any promo round town for the game?