Mark Jackson, the head coach of Central Coast Mariners, has announced that two-time Championship winner Brian Kaltak will be departing the club at the end of the current season.
In his third year with the team, Kaltak has proven to be an outstanding asset since arriving at the Mariners as an injury replacement at the beginning of the 2022-23 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
The captain of Vanuatu played his 100th match across all competitions for the Mariners during their 2-2 draw against Macarthur on Sunday, and has become a beloved figure in Gosford. He played a pivotal role in securing the 2022-23 Championship and their historic treble last season.
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After the final whistle at Industree Group Stadium, coach Jackson confirmed that the dependable defender is likely set to leave the club this off-season.
“I won’t sugarcoat it, Brian has indicated a desire to move overseas to Asia,” Jackson disclosed in an interview with Paramount+ following the match.
“That’s what he told us at the start of the year. We attempted to negotiate a new contract with him, but he wishes to explore opportunities overseas. That’s his goal, and we have to respect his decision.”
“We faced a similar situation last year with Max Balard and (Josh) Nisbet. Both players were out of contract, and although we encouraged them to stay, they chose to see out their contracts before moving to Europe. Brian has expressed the same intentions, so we must acknowledge that.”
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As Kaltak prepares to exit, Jackson is confronted with another challenge; team captain Trent Sainsbury sustained a suspected ruptured Achilles during the match against the Bulls.
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“Nothing has been confirmed yet, but honestly, it didn’t appear promising,” Jackson remarked when asked for an update on Sainsbury’s condition.
“He felt something give in his Achilles. Until we receive a proper diagnosis, I think it’s prudent to hold off on making any statements about his injury.”
“I thought he was outstanding today. He delivered a commanding performance.”
“Witnessing that happen to him at the end was heartbreaking, to be honest. It’s been a tough season for us.”
“We also lost Storm Roux due to an incident in training. This year has been challenging for us in that regard, but we’ll await further updates after I get in there.”
Looking ahead, Jackson shared his vision for the Mariners but admitted he is uncertain about the timeline for realising it.
“We know what our objectives are for next season,” he explained.
“However, the situation at the club is somewhat uncertain, given that the owner is seeking to sell.”
“As the manager and my staff, we still have a season to wrap up, and we want to end on a high note for our supporters. This season hasn’t been what we hoped for, but I’m already focused on building for next year.”
“It’s waiting for clarity from the owner that holds us back. We have several plans ready to execute.”
“I have a vision for how I want the team to look next year. I won’t share the details now, but I have a clear idea.”
“It’s crucial to blend experience with youth, which is another important aspect for us.”
“We have a wealth of young talent within the club that we need to develop further. However, it’s clear we also need to inject experience into the spine of the team.”
“That’s my plan moving forward. I’m ready to take action, it’s just a matter of waiting for the right moment.”
“As for the timeline, I can’t provide any answers right now.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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