Arnold in frame for Sydney FC gig

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8 February 2012-SBS EXCLUSIVE

Contender... Graham Arnold is firming as the favourite to replace Vitzslav Lavicka at Sydney FC next season. (Getty)

Central Coast coach Graham Arnold is firming as the favourite to succeed Vitezslav Lavicka at Sydney FC as financial uncertainly continues to plague the Mariners.

Arnold oblivious to Sydney rumours

With another season on his Mariners contract to run, the Sky Blues' top target has sought to brush aside speculation that he is bound for the SFS as Sydney seeks to halt its decline and find a new coach.

It has emerged that the cash-strapped Mariners’ ongoing inability to meet superannuation and bonus payments could provide a loophole for Arnold and any other contacted player or member of the coaching staff to challenge and possibly invalidate existing contracts.

A Mariners spokesman today insisted the club is “working through” the issues and is not seeking to circumvent its responsibilities as majority shareholder and chairman Peter Turnbull continues to try and attract an overseas investor.

A consortium from Russia, which has visited the cub, appears unable to take a stake as property developer Turnbull seeks to shed the majority of his shares.

It’s understood that while committed to the Mariners’ cause this season and into the Asian Champions League, Arnold is open to the possibility of returning to his home city of Sydney as the frustration of the fallout of the Mariners’ fiscal shortcomings leaves him with an uncertain future at the club.

While Arnold refused to comment publicly on any plans he has beyond this season, Sydney FC CEO Dirk Melton said: “Do I think he’s a good coach. Yes I do. Is he an icon of the game? Of course he is.

“Is he exhibiting wonderful traits as a coach? Yes he is. Is a local Sydney boy? Yes he is. Is he under contract right now? Yes he is.

“If he wants out of that contract or can get out of that contract, those are not questions for me. It’s up to him, his agent and Peter Turnbull and the Mariners to discuss.

"It would be disrespectful to Peter Turnbull, who has done great things for the game in this country, to say any more than that.”

Melton is an avowed advocate of local coaching talent, adding: “Anybody in the game would want to embrace them at any time. We are right now looking for the best possible candidate who we can afford who offers the attributes we require.

“We are not specifically targeting Australians, or internationals. We just want the best person for the job.”