JETS chief executive has no doubts that Labinot Haliti will coach in the A-League one day.
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The 33-year-old has taken a step towards that goal after being headhunted by Western Sydney to assist Markus Babbel next season.
Haliti, who joined the Jets youth team coaching ranks after retiring from playing two years ago, starts with Wanderers on June 1.
"It's a great opportunity for Labi," McKinna said. "We can't offer him a position with the first team and Wanderers have seen fit to do it. We can't hold him back."
Haliti started as McKinna's assistant with the youth team before taking the reins once the former striker obtained his A-Licence six months ago.
"He has been with me for 18 months and it's great that people are starting to take notice of us and what we are doing with the youth team," McKinna said. "His work ethic is tremendous. His training sessions are always varied, always interesting and they have a purpose. They are not a training session for the sake of a training session. I think eventually he will be an A-League coach. If he can go away and get experience there is nothing to say he won't come back to the Jets."
Haliti was a foundation player at the Jets and Wanderers.
He joined Western Sydney in 2012-13 and helped steer the club to an Asian Champions League title and three grand final appearances.
A former Kosovo refugee, Haliti returned to the Jets for two seasons, before stepping into coaching and is excited at the chance to progress.
"I didn't think it would happen so quickly," Haliti said. "In football, if you put your head down and work hard, you never no what is around the corner. They were looking for someone to add something different. My history with the club obviously helped. I know the area and what it takes to win."
Haliti's coaching path has mirrored his playing career.
"These two clubs have given me everything. They continue to give me everything," he said. "I am attached to both clubs as a player and as a coach. Not too many people can say that."
Haliti said he would be forever grateful to McKinna and Jets football operations manager Joel Griffiths for giving him an opportunity.
"It's hard to put into words what Lawrie has done for me." Haliti said. "He is a mentor, he is a father figure, a coach, the CEO of the club ... without him I would not be where I am today. I have never seen anyone in football like him who sees things before they happen. He reads the game and can see patterns building up. I was the lucky one in that he wanted to give me a hand."
Haliti will coach the Jets youth team, who are equal-second in the NPL, for two more games before McKinna takes back the reins.
"I will reinstate myself after sacking myself when Labi got his A-license," McKinna said.
