Montgomery departs Mariners, joins Scottish Premiership club

Central Mariners coach Nick Montgomery has quit the club and will take the reins at Scottish Premiership club Hibernian.

The departure of the Montgomery is a blow to the Mariners on the eve of the 2023/24 A-League season, with the championship winning mentor taking assistant coach Sergio Raimundo and goalkeeper coach Miguel Miranda with him.

The Mariners are yet to name a replacement for Montgomery, but they will want to act swiftly with just over a month until their first match of the season, against Adelaide United on October 20.

The Mariners are a $7 chance to win the A-League with soccer betting sites, with just Melbourne City ($3.75) more fancied by bookmakers.

There had been serious speculation that Montgomery was in line to step up to the Hibs job, following his A-League title run last season, and with Socceroos coach Graham Arnold turning it down it was his for the taking.

Mariners chairman Richard Peil said the loss of Montgomery and his assistant was tough, but wished them well on their exciting journey.

“I sincerely thank Nick and Sergio, two of the hardest working people I’ve ever met, and wish them all the best as they navigate their next challenge,” he said.

“Moments like this prove why our club is so great. We give opportunities to talented people, and when they perform, bigger clubs will take notice.”

Emotion ran deep in Montgomery’s heartfelt letter addressed to the Mariners’ supporters, who witnessed with an A-League title both as a player, then last year as a coach. s

“Eleven years ago, I arrived on the Central Coast with my family, and I didn’t know what to expect,” he said.

“I will never forget the support the fans have given me and my family. Together as one family, we made what people thought was impossible, possible.”

While Montgomery’s departure marks the end of an era for the Mariners, his new endeavour with Hibernian is set to be an exciting one, and further consolidates the A-League as a legitimate breeding ground for higher honours.

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