Paul Mariner to return as Plymouth Argyle head coach
PAUL MARINER is set to rejoin Plymouth Argyle as head coach under Paul Sturrock, the club announced today.
Argyle chairman Sir Roy Gardner today said: "On behalf of the Plymouth Argyle board, I am pleased to announce that we hope to confirm soon the appointment of Paul Mariner as Head Coach, working for the manager, Paul Sturrock.
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Paul Mariner
“Paul Mariner is not only an Argyle legend, but has established himself as a highly respected and leading coach in American Major League Soccer and internationally, including in Japan.
“He will bring his own style and a wealth of experience to the club, supporting the development of the football side of the club with Paul Sturrock.
“Paul Sturrock is already charged with working to complete the review of all aspects of the football side of the club, including: coaching; training facilities; the scouting system; medical and physiotherapy; and youth football.
“He will now be supported in this work by Paul Mariner.”
Paul Mariner has been based as a coach in the USA for the past seven years, most recently as number two to former Scotland and Liverpool star Steve Nicol at crack MSL outfit New England Revolution.
He was invited to Plymouth back in August by Argyle Executive Director Keith Todd – who also brokered the deal to bring him back to Home Park – to support the bid by Devon and Cornwall, with Plymouth at its heart, to become a host city for the 2018 World Cup.
Sir Roy continued: “The board of Plymouth Argyle are appreciative of the co-operation that New England Revolution have shown in releasing Paul Mariner.
“The two clubs have agreed a first step of a potential ongoing relationship with a plan that a number of the New England Revolution younger stars will join Plymouth for a few weeks for joint-training sessions later in the season.
“This is an appointment which will cause a tingle to run down the spine of any Pilgrim.
“Paul Mariner represents a past, present and future that is the very essence of what Argyle should be about: a beloved ex-player who knows and understands the Greens and its fans, who has carved out a post-playing career as a respected coach and who now passionately wants to put something back into his former club.”
A Media conference is planned be held in the Board Room at Home Park, at 2.30pm on Friday, October 23, to introduce Paul Mariner.
Crownhill shoppers give their views on Paul Sturrock's return to Plymouth Argyle. Filmed November 2007.
106 Comments
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by Toby A Pilgrim, london
Tuesday, October 20 2009, 9:04AM
“Well said Frank Mutley, wonder how long it will be before Mariner speaks up to start playing football properly to be told by sturrock "no laddie we do it my way or your on the Highway" & Mariner has to go out on loan!!!
Please let me wake up one day soon to the news sturrock has gone.”
by Jack, Uxbridge
Tuesday, October 20 2009, 8:57AM
“The only tingle down my spine is of fear & trepidation of relegation if sturrock is staying, He's the main problem until he goes there's no change, no progress, no fans, even i am for the first time in 44 yrs loosing interest in my club, how come all the fans wherever you go want this clown sturrock out, but the board don't get it at all, just concentrating on the world cup bid, Argyle should come first SACK sturrock now & get even a semi decent manager in, so i can start wanting to watch my team again with hope. Mariner must be here for the world cup bid 'cause no one has listed his coaching credentials has he got his UEFA badges, has he got inside knowledge of how the leagues work here. This is a dangerous game the board are playing with our club, maybe time to put pressure on the board to do something positive for the club & sack sturrock!!”
by b_mused, Saltash
Monday, October 19 2009, 9:48PM
“Of course best of luck to Paul Mariner as well. What a mess to sort out!”
by b_mused, Saltash
Monday, October 19 2009, 9:46PM
“Best of luck to Kevin Summerfield - a true servant of the club on and off the pitch. Didn't he keep the promotion show on the road for 9 games after Sturrock left in 2004? I can't believe a creative player like KS had much time for the "new" Sturrock and he will be better off for the split. Trouble is Argyle have got rid of the wrong one.”
by Resident, Ham
Monday, October 19 2009, 9:33PM
“Welcome back Paul Mariner, an Argyle legend who i was lucky enough to see play for the Greens. I think we should give him a chance and wish him every success in his role. He is obviously well liked and respected in the game.”