Former Leeds United coach Mark Jackson has taken up a new managerial role after his departure from A-League side Central Coast Mariners.
Mark Jackson has announced his departure from Central Coast Mariners after a two-year stint in Australia, having left England to take up the opportunity over Leeds United academy roles and MK Dons.
Jackson worked his way up the age groups at Thorp Arch and was then overseeing the U-21 team, and he also became part of the senior coaching set-up under Jesse Marsch.
Jackson’s first senior managerial role came at MK Dons where he took over a relegation-threatened side and failed to keep them in League One. That sparked the switch Down Under with Central Coast Mariners for Jackson.
Former Leeds United coach Mark Jackson takes role in Thailand
Jackson took charge of just 25 games with MK Dons but his luck in Australia has been much improved, having built a decent reputation in the A-League.
Jackson won an A-League treble, with the AFC Cup, A-League Premiership, and the Championship Grand Final in his first campaign in charge. To the surprise of no one, Jackson was awarded the A-League Coach of the Year award that season.
Ryan Edmondson eventually joined Jackson in Australia. However, Graham Smyth reports in The Yorkshire Evening Post that the second season in charge was hit by a funding reduction and his side then finished 10th in the table.
Prior to that, Alfie McCalmont also reunited with Jackson. Now, Jackson has decided to move on for a new opportunity rather than remain for a third season at the Industree Group Stadium.
The talk of a new challenge for the 28-year-old only arose this week, but his next move has since been confirmed today by his new club in an official capacity.
Thai side Buriram United FC have confirmed Jackson as their new head coach. They play in the top division, which is aptly named Thai League 1.
He is certainly not the only Englishman to be plying his trade in the division, either. Former Leeds winger and ex-England international Andros Townsend plays for divisional rivals Kanchanaburi Power FC.
The Leeds connections don’t end there, either. Buriram United signed a collaboration agreement with Borussia Dortmund of the Bundesliga in October 2018. Dortmund, of course, is one of the twinned European cities with Leeds.
Buriram also have some former players from the English leagues, with ex-Newcastle United defender Curtis Good, former Blackpool and Barnsley midfielder Kenny Dougall, and ex-Birmingham City and Cardiff City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge all in their current squad.
Mark Jackson’s view of Leeds academy graduate Archie Gray
Jackson has pinpointed when he knew Archie Gray would be special previously, stating the following on the Spurs youngster after coaching him at Leeds.
He said: “One game stands out for me, and it was in the Papa John’s with the 23s. We had a really young team out. Archie played in that game and he got on the ball in the middle, he protected the ball, used his strength.
“Think he was 15 at the time. He played a pass which probably no other player would have played on the pitch — particularly at 15 — to Amari Miller.
“I remember thinking on the sideline, ooh that’s a little bit special.”
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