Mark Jackson has starred in his role as manager of Australian side Central Coast Mariners, and now he has added a midfielder to his squad that left Leeds United in 2023.
In his first season as Mariners manager, Jackson guided the A-League side to the treble. The club’s most-successful campaign to date, having won 28 of his 44 games in charge in all competitions in Australia.
He has been no stranger in the market, either. He lured Ryan Edmondson to Mariners from Carlisle United earlier in the season, the former Leeds striker scoring seven goals in 22 games for the Australian side.
His excellent spell in Australia comes after impressing as Leeds’ U21 manager and working under Jesse Marsch as first-team coach, before taking on the job at MK Dons in League One where he struggled.
Jackson returns to England to bolster his Mariners midfield
Having already signed Edmondson in controversial circumstances from Carlisle, Jackson has raided the English outfit again to sign Northern Ireland international Alfie McCalmont on a permanent basis.
It comes after the midfielder left Leeds to join Carlisle permanently in 2023. The Thorp Arch academy product had gone on loan to Carlisle and helped them achieve promotion to League One in 2022-23.
Now, he has chosen to join Jackson’s Mariners as they look to defend their three titles ahead of the new season. McCalmont is expected to be a key member of his side, given his National Team caps and more.
McCalmont now posts on Instagram after completing transfer
The move went through little over a fortnight ago and now, McCalmont has taken to Instagram to share his joy at penning a move to Jackson’s side down under, reuniting with coaches Jackson and Edmondson.
It comes after impressive loans from Leeds at both Morecambe and Oldham, and also his two outings at senior level for Leeds under Marcelo Bielsa. A big move for McCalmont but one that could prove exciting.
He said: “Delighted to sign for Central Coast Mariners, looking forward to this new challenge and can’t wait to get started.”
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
