A CLOSE relationship with a prominent player-manager is among a host of reasons that Carl Robinson appears the preferred candidate to take the helm of the Newcastle Jets.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Robinson, the former Vancouver Whitecaps coach and Welsh international midfielder, is on a short-list of coaches Jets officials are considering, after the dismissal of Ernie Merrick on January 6.
The 43-year-old flew out from Canada last week to conduct due diligence on the club, attending a training session and Newcastle's 2-0 loss to Melbourne City, before returning on Monday.
Jets CEO Lawrie McKinna told the Newcastle Herald this week he was "very impressed" with Robinson, although he insisted there were still others in the mix.
Robinson is Vancouver's longest-serving coach after a tenure of five years and more than 200 MLS games that ended in September, 2018.
During a 16-year playing career, Robinson had stints with a host of clubs, including English Premier League outfits Portsmouth and Sunderland, and played 52 times for Wales.
His CV suggests he could offer the Jets a rare combination of youth and experience.
The other asset in his favour is a long-time friendship with player agent David Baldwin.
Baldwin is the man who brokered the transfer last June of Aaron Ramsey from Arsenal to Juventus.
Ramsey left the Gunners as a free agent and joined Juventus on a four-year deal worth a reported £400,000 ($763,000) per week, making him the highest-paid British player of all time.
Realistically, players of Ramsey's elite calibre are unlikely to ever appear in the A-League, but it is understood Jets officials believe Baldwin's connections could help them source overseas players, especially if loan deals can be arranged.
Irish defender Bobby Burns is on loan to Newcastle this season from Scottish Premier League club Hearts and, after making only four appearances off the bench in their first eight games, has strung together four consecutive starting appearances.
He admitted it has taken him time to adjust but would be open to the prospect of returning Down Under next season.
"I'll obviously finish the season here in April or May, and then head back to Hearts for pre-season," Burns said.
"But I've really, really enjoyed my time in Australia, and it's something I definitely wouldn't close the door on.
"I think there's a good chance that some time in the future, whether it's next year or another year down the line, that I'd maybe come back. I really like the league and all the people, so it would be an option."
The Jets train on Thursday morning before flying to Wellington for Friday's clash with the Phoenix.