After completing one of football's longest apprenticeships, Craig Deans will be given "the tools" to help make his first venture as head coach of the Newcastle Jets a success.
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Newcastle executive chairman Shane Mattiske confirmed on Wednesday that Deans would pilot the Jets for the remainder of this season and the 2021-22 A-League campaign.
The 46-year-old has been at the controls in an interim capacity - his third period as a caretaker coach - since the sudden departure of Carl Robinson in October.
A former assistant coach, women's coach and most recently boss of the club's academy, Deans was not among a shortlist of candidates - John Aloisi, Hayden Foxe, Kenny Lowe and Gary Van Egmond - interviewed for the position.
However, the former defender's ability to "bring the squad together and get them performing" through a "difficult period" convinced club hierarchy that he was the "right man" for the job.
"We looked at a lot of candidates," Mattiske said. "Through that process we were also keeping an eye on Craig. We had a matrix around criteria for the coach. It was really important for us to get the right person for this club and this community. Craig ticked all those boxes.
"He is deeply ingrained in this club, he knows the players and he has been able to demonstrate that he can bring the squad together and get them performing. That was really important."
Deans has been consistently working with the A-League squad, either as assistant or makeshift coach, for the past 13 months.
"For me, in a lot of ways it is now or never," Deans said. "I am happy and honoured to be given this position. I enjoy working with these players. It feels natural and normal to be working at this level."
The Jets, grand finalists in 2018, have been in a holding pattern since former owner Martin Lee put the club on the market 18 months ago and stopped providing funds.
Football Australia stripped Lee of his A-League licence in January and handed control to the owners of four rival A-League clubs, who will bankroll the Jets for the foreseeable future.
Deans' current football staff, goalkeeper coach and video analyst Chris Bowling and assistant Daniel McBreen, who is also the youth team boss and community liaison officer, will continue.
"We have stability in the club," Mattiske said. "It is now about moving forward.
"Getting Craig locked away is really important for us in carrying that momentum forward. The great thing for the players is that there is not interruption. They have a guy who they trust, a guy who will lead them forward, and they are playing for him.
In a much-needed boost, Mattiske said the football department would be significantly bolstered.
"The club, given its past, hadn't put enough resources behind football," Mattiske said. "There is a focus now on making sure Craig is set up. We will bring in a [full-time] assistant coach. There will be other sports technology ... he needs the right tools to succeed."
Deans has a "couple of people in mind" for the assistant role.
"I will have those conversations with people in the next few days," Deans said.
"Without being disrespectful of the last 12 to 18 months, the situation has been difficult with Martin Lee not prepared to fund what is the bare minimum standard to support the team.
"It's not a fluke that you make a grand final. You get there because you have everything you need to be able to perform to the level that is needed.
"There will be some more staff coming hopefully, some off-field infrastructure and video analysis software ... all the stuff that we currently don't have. It makes a big difference to the players."
The returning Matt Millar and recent arrivals Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Syahrian Abimanyu and Liridon Krasniqui will be available when the transfer window opens on February 16 and Mattiske didn't rule out bringing in more players.
"We do have some talent coming in, some exciting talent," he said. "Our next home game on February 28, there will be a lot to see for our fans.
"We are talking to the football staff and we are open to bringing in players if we need them. But we have a really solid squad which is performing and has momentum."
The Jets after a slow start results-wise, have picked up seven points from a maximum nine, highlighted by wins of last season's second and third placed sides Melbourne City (1-0) and Wellington (2-1).
They sit in eighth spot on a congested table.
"We have ambition," Mattiske . We want to be competitive every week. That is what we are expecting from Craig and this playing group."
Deans was equally driven.
"We have plenty more growth in us," he said. "It's about continuous improvement - every day, every week, every game. There is no reason why we can't make the top six. That is absolutely our goal for the remainder of the season."
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IN THE NEWS:
James Gardiner
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
