Ex-Leeds United man on verge of unprecedented treble as fans rave at turnaround

Former Leeds United assistant coach and Under-23s manager Mark Jackson is in the running for an unprecedented treble with Australian A-League side Central Coast Mariners.
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The ex-Leeds and Scunthorpe United defender made the move overseas last year after departing League One club MK Dons, in what was his first senior managerial role.

Jackson had previously been assistant to Jesse Marsch at Elland Road, and was promoted over a period of years from academy coach to Under-16s, Under-18s and finally Under-23s manager.

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The 45-year-old began his time at Central Coast with four straight defeats but currently has the side top of the A-League Men’s standings and most recently saw the Mariners crowned Premiers, which is awarded annually to the team with most points in the regular season.

Having already received the Premiers Plate, Central Coast could yet achieve an unprecedented treble in Australian football. Jackson's side are in the final of the AFC Cup - Asian football's equivalent to the Europa League - this Sunday against Lebanese team Al-Ahed. The game is scheduled to take place at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Oman, kicking off at 5pm BST.

Should the Mariners keep up their impressive domestic form, Jackson and his squad may be crowned A-League champions in addition to their Premiers tag. The club will face an as yet undetermined team in a two-legged A-League Finals play-off semi, before the league's grand finale, should they progress.

Mariners fans, who this year celebrate 20 years since the club's foundation, are over the moon with the tune Jackson has been able to get from his players after losing former coach Nick Montgomery to Scottish Premiership club Hibernian who led the team to A-League Finals Series success in 2023.

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Posting on popular fans' forum ccmfans.net, supporters reacted to the club's Premiers win.

"What a coach we have on our hands, in his first season with such a massive turnover of players. Massive achievement! Congrats Mark, we are lucky to have you!" a fan going by the username Revilo said.

Another fan with the username 'Allreet?' posted: "Fantastic result for a fantastic club with a fantastic coach."

Meanwhile, user pjennings said: "I thought losing Monty [Nick Montgomery] would be our biggest obstacle this year but Mark Jackson has set a higher benchmark. 4 more wins for a place in history.”

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Mariners would be the first team to complete a domestic triple since inaugural treble winners Melbourne Victory in 2015. The side coached by ex-Socceroos and Millwall man Kevin Muscat at the time were concurrent holders of the Premiers Plate, A-League Championship and FFA Cup.

If Jackson's side can clinch the AFC Cup, they would become the first Australian team to complete a treble including continental honours.

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