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.”
by Frank, Mutley
Monday, October 19 2009, 9:15PM
“I wonder if Paul Mariner has any idea what he's let himself in for.
The Blackpool match was hard to swallow - not because of the Seip business but simply because Argyle were given the run around by a modest yet well coached and imaginative outfit. If a certain ex Chairman hadn't prompted the departure of the now Blackpool manager I daresay it would have been the other way round.
And now this self same ex Chairman is arguing that the manager he replaced Holloway with, against the wishes of his Boardroom colleagues, should now be sacked. This time he's still arguing against the rest of the Board but in favour of his son-in-law. You couldn't make it up. You really couldn't.
Good luck PM - you're going to need it.”
by Humphrey Bumphrey, Stoke
Monday, October 19 2009, 8:31PM
“It is noticeable that amongst the many areas that Paul Sturrock has been charged to review there is no mention of 'man management' this has always been an area of weakness for Sturrock and rarely a week goes by when one or more players is sitting on the bench ,on loan or kicking their heels at home doing nothing because of this problem. It is frustrating reading news that on loan players are doing so well very often but not for Argyle. It also extends to the board obviously in failing to address the problem and allowing him to cause so much disruption. A good team spirit and happy dressing room is vitally important.”
by Pilgrim Peter, Plymouth
Monday, October 19 2009, 7:01PM
“Many times this season, and especially during the Blackpool game, it was obvious that there is no cohesion up front, no intricate passing and little chance of getting the ball into the opposition penalty area.
So what do you do?
Relying on the odd run into the box - 'hoping for a penalty' type football is just plain suicide. I'm assuming this is where Mariner fits in. Not to unsurp Sturrock from his post, but to help the strikers create more chances. I'm not defending Sturrock - the whole Seip saga has been nothing short of a joke - but hopefully, with Mariner focusing more on the attacking style, Argyle might just be able to claw back some dignity.”
by alan, plymouth
Monday, October 19 2009, 6:35PM
“Walking, talking pasties? Argyle directors, managers, players, and supporters! Amazing rubbish from all of you pasties. Ginsters rules OK.”
by Come everyone, cheer up!
Monday, October 19 2009, 5:57PM
“If life seems jolly rotten,
There's something you've forgotten,
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
When you're feeling in the dumps,
Don't be silly chumps.
Just purse your lips and whistle.
That's the thing.
And...
Always look on the bright side of life.
[whistle]
Always look on the right side of life,
[whistle]”