Van Egmond quits Jets

Four days after the Jets suffered their worst ever defeat when they crashed 6-0 to Pohang Steelers in the AFC Champions League, the club's pre-season has been thrown into disarray.

"I've quit the club because I've got another job at the Australian Institute of Sport," Van Egmond said.

"I will be the head coach of the football program and coach of the national under-17s, with an opportunity to be involved with other national teams.

"I needed a change and I look forward to a fresh challenge."

The AIS deal is believed to be for four years and worth $200,000 a year.

Technical director Branko Culina is expected to be Van Egmond's replacement, at least in the short term.

The Jets management was taken aback by Dutchy's shock resignation just over a month away from the start of the fifth A-League.

"Nothing in football shocks me any more," chief executive John Tsatsimas said.

"We have not even had time to congregate to tackle the issue let alone name a successor.

"What I can say however is that Culina would be a wonderful candidate."

Van Egmond, one of Australian football's brightest young coaches, would not confirm or deny that he quit the club because of its failure to retain its best players.

Since winning the 2008 Grand Final against Central Coast, Con Constantine's Jets have lost the bulk of their team.

Seven players who started the match at the Sydney Football Stadium have moved on: They are Ante Covic, Adam Griffiths, Jade North, Andrew Durante, Stuart Musialik, Mark Bridge and Joel Griffiths (who is on loan to Chinese club Beijing Guoan). So did substitute James Holland.

"All will be revealed in a statement on Monday," Van Egmond said.

Van Egmond took charge of the Jets after eight matches in season two and led them to the finals before masterminding the club's maiden championship last year.

Former Jets midfielder Paul Okon, who is now assistant coach at Gold Coast United, said he was not overly surprised by Van Egmond's resignation.

"The position at the AIS would have been available some time ago," the Socceroos hero said. "It would not have happened during the week.

"That's the way Football Federation Australia do business. They are very professional. Obviously the FFA saw Gary as a coach with the right credentials for the job."