Scott Miller, the newly unveiled coach of Newcastle Jets, says England manager Roy Hodgson is his inspiration after the pair worked at Fulham.
Speaking at his first official press conference the 33-year-old was buoyant about the future at Hunter Stadium.
And he explained a recent meeting with the England manager was one big reason why he felt ready to become the youngest manager in A-League history at a club starved of success.
The scenario of taking over a struggling club reminded him of Hodgson’s time with the Cottagers, and it’s inspired him of his new mission at the last season’s bottom side the Jets.
Scott Miller appointed new Jets coach
“It was a privilege and working with some fantastic managers. Someone to note was Roy Hodgson. He was an inspiration in my mindset, my professionalism and my respect for football,” Miller said of the current England boss and former Fulham manager.
“I was on a course two weeks ago and I bumped into him. Having a coffee with Roy it really reminded me of why I’m sitting here now.
“He inspired me the first day he walked into the building. He transformed Fulham from a struggling team to European [Europa League] finalists against Atletico Madrid in 2010.
“He reminded over that half hour conversation why I’m sitting here now.”
Miller’s back-story should appeal to the working class ethos of the region, after he explained his journey to England on a one-way ticket in 2006 that ended with him working in the English Premier League for most of the past nine years.
Not only that, but he got to work with some high-profile managers such as Hodgson and Martin Jol.
Tonight (Thursday) the club will hold a member’s forum with the new coach set to make a surprise appearance alongside de Marigny.
Miller stressed the importance of engaging with the Newcastle football community, something Hyundai A-League boss Damien de Bohun has also underlined during recent days in the Hunter.
Miller has signed a two-year contract with the Hyundai A-League club. .
Miller sat alongside new assistant coach Jean-Paul de Marigny.
This will be de Marigny’s second stint at the Jets after a season as Assistant Coach in the inaugural A-League season in 2005/06. He has also signed a two-year contract.
Miller and de Marigny will formally commence duties when the Hyundai A-League squad begins formal pre season training on Monday 6 July, though on Monday June 22 they will begin a pre-pre-season with the 13 players currently signed to the club.
