Gary van Egmond talks about his return to the Jets and this weekend’s first game back at the helm.
There is nothing like being welcomed back.
I would like to extend my warm appreciation to all the players, staff, management, and of course the members and fans of the Club after being announced as the new head coach for the Newcastle Jets, it means a lot.
It is a fantastic feeling to come back to the Club after all these years. All of the changes within the Newcastle Jets over the past year has brought with it stability and a vision that rings true to what I believe makes a successful Football Club.
The Jets have had a good start to the season, and I take my hat off to Craig Deans who filled the void with little time to spare before the Hyundai A-League season commenced.
I have known Deansy for some time now, he has a bright future as a Head Coach following the way he led the team both on and off the field.
I know he will bring me great support over the remainder of the 2011-2012 Hyundai A-League Season and I only hope I can support and grow his talent as a coach as well.
With a few training sessions now passed, it is obvious to see the talent that lies within the squad. We have a lot of technical players that shows me, tactically, we can achieve a lot of things on the field.
The team is at the level that I would expect so early on in the season, there is still 20-30 per cent room for improvement but as the season progresses so should the players, learning more from each game and opponent they play.
We have a tough match ahead of us against the Gold Coast this weekend.
It-s obviously my first away trip with the team and I hope to spend some more one-on-one with them during this time. It-s another chance for us, as a team, to bond and get to know one another.
It-s great to be back and great to be head of the greatest football Club in the A-League.
Gary van Egmond