The Western Sydney Wanderers will stick with Jean-Paul de Marigny as head coach of the club’s Hyundai A-League team until the conclusion of the 2020/21 season.
The former Socceroo and Australian Institute of Sport graduate will lead the club into the 2019/20 season restart in his first full-time head coach role since his years at Sydney United and Marconi Stallions before Melbourne Victory as assistant coach in 2013.
A former defender, de Marigny has installed a more ruthless attitude to the squad with three wins, three draws and a single loss since taking over as caretaker coach in January before the season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the season set to resume this week, de Marigny is focused on ensuring the squad ends in finals contention in August.
“This is a humbling experience to be named head coach here at the Wanderers and I would like to personally thank the Chairman Mr Paul Lederer, the board and CEO John Tsatsimas for this appointment and look forward to continuing the work I have started here,” said de Marigny.
“I’m very excited about this opportunity and the challenge ahead for this season and next.
“The challenge ahead in the short term is getting to finals football, that’s the first challenge and we’re all looking forward to that. For the following season it is all about planning, recruitment and signing players at this stage. Getting the right group together that can be successful, who have the right mindset and will bring performances that are show the fight and hard-work it takes to play for this great club.
“From day one since we returned from lockdown it has been about getting the players to the physical state they need to be at. We need to make sure that our mindset and performances are strong. Everyone is up for the challenge and is excited to get back out there and play.”
Wanderers Chairman Paul Lederer said the hard-work and discipline de Marigny has instilled in the team proved to him he was the man to lead the club forward.
“When JP (de Marigny) took the reigns for the first time we immediately noticed a shift in the group, a change in their character that had more aggression and passion to win,” said Lederer.
“The challenge ahead, coming out of the community health crisis we are all facing and the many obstacles that have been presented to us all, is to win matches and make the final series.
“With JP at the helm and our squad working hard at our fantastic Centre of Football, we eagerly anticipate the return of the Hyundai A-League and watching our group take the steps required to make our many members and fans proud.”
