JOSH Rose will be in charge of Edgeworth for a friendly against the Newcastle Jets at Jack McLaughlan Oval on Saturday but he won't take the gig full-time after accepting a coaching role with the Central Coast Mariners.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Lee Sterrey was to be at the helm of the Eagles next season but parted ways with the Northern NSW powerhouse last weekend.
Rose has been interim boss and appeared a natural replacement.
Pitched into the role after the shock departure of coach Damian Zane on the eve of the season, and the exit of replacement Keelan Hamilton three weeks later, Rose guided the Eagles to the premiership-championship double, culminating with a 2-0 win over Maitland in the grand final.
"The [coaching] opportunity came about two or three weeks too late," Rose said. "I had already accepted a position at the Mariners with their under-18s.
"Obviously I have history with the Mariners, and at the same time I had given them my word. I helped out Daniel McBreen with the Jets youth team when I could [this season] and really enjoyed working with the future stars of the A-League clubs. It's a big part of their development and I'm definitely looking forward to that. Edgey still want me to be a part of something going forward. It would be a matter of how it looks and whether I could fit it in."
The Mariners play in the NSW NPL 1 youth competition. They train three nights a week and play in Sydney.
Sterrey, who coached the Newcastle Breakers and Newcastle United in the old National Soccer League, was appointed in late July.
The 59-year-old, who has also coach Fiji and in the NSW NPL, was content to work behind the scenes and let Rose and assistant Rod Linsley and Gary Wilson see out the season.
"We wish Lee all the best," Edgeworth administrator Warren Mills said. "Football-wise it just hasn't worked out. We just won our third double-double and I think this outcome is the right one for all involved."
Edgeworth have lost midfielders Jose Atayde and Keanu Moore, who have followed Zane to Broadmeadow, from the premiership side. Leading striker Kristian Brymora is trialing with the Brisbane Roar.
"We have signed Jake McGuinness and there are a couple more to bring in," Mills said. "We will still have a very strong squad. The club is in great shape."
Rose, who was always going to take the reins for the friendly, will "see how the numbers are at training on Thursday night" before deciding if he will play in what could be his last game.
"Whether I play next season will hinge on the schedule," Rose said. "Millsy is very open to me playing when I'm available. At the same time, I don't want to disrespect the boys or disrespect the club. If I can give 100 per cent when I'm available, I'll potentially do it, otherwise I will have to focus on other things."
As for Saturday's game.
"We obviously want to put on a good performance," he said. "We don't want to go out get flogged. Hopefully we can give the Jets a good game and help them prepare for the season.