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Mariners hand top job to Phil Moss

The Central Coast Mariners have confirmed Phil Moss has signed on as the A-League club’s new head coach on a three-year deal.

Moss replaces A-League championship-winning coach Graham Arnold, who last night signed a two-season deal with J-League side Vegalta Sendai.

Moss, who was Arnold’s assistant from 2010, says he does not plan on changing too much at the Gosford club, but wants to make sure the team maintains its winning, entertaining philosophy.

“I’m very honoured and humbled to be head coach at such a great club. It’s an easy transition from me,” Moss told a press gathering in Gosford.

“Taking over from someone like Graham Arnold might be massive shoes to fill, but … the staff that we’ve got in place already are magnificent. I’d like to think I’ll keep the ship steering in the same direction as Arnie.

“I’d be crazy to come in here and change too much. We’ve had 50-plus points three years in a row.

“We’ve played some fantastic football and put bums on seats.

“I think we’re in the entertainment business so I’m not going to put the shackles on (the players).”

Moss praised his mentor Arnold, saying the club had done the right thing in letting him pursue a career in the Asian continent.

“The club’s been fantastic in letting Arnie pursue his ambitions. He’s a great coach, on top of his game, a great manager, tactician … he’s got the whole package,” Moss said.

“We have very similar philosophies and footballing principals. We’re similar personalities. Obviously I’ll do things a little differently as I don’t have the experience that Arnie’s had.

“But I’ll put my stamp on things and do things my own way. There will be certain changes along the way, I’m just taking the next few days to assess things and let the dust settle.

“I think the main attributes I bring is honesty, I’ll always be honest with everyone. I’ll always protect my players. They’re my major assets.

“When you want 11 to 15 players to go into battle for you on the weekend, you have to make sure you eliminate every excuse and give them the tools to do their best.”

The Mariners’ next A-League fixture is on Thursday November 19 against the Wellington Phoenix at North Sydney Oval.

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