Champion Mariners Coach Leaves Club for New Career Advancement Opportunity

The Central Coast Mariners have announced that head coach Emily Husband has left the club following their historic victory in the Ninja A-League Championship for the 2024-25 season.

Husband will be remembered as a pivotal figure in the club’s history, having guided the Mariners to their inaugural Ninja A-League title just two years after her arrival on the Central Coast.

Making the move from Sydney University in NPL NSW, Husband developed the Mariners’ squad from scratch and achieved a commendable fifth-place finish in the 2023-24 season.

Her first season saw the team reach the Semi-Finals, but in 2024-25, the Mariners captured Championship success under her leadership; finishing fourth in the regular season set the stage for a thrilling Elimination Final victory against Canberra United, followed by a two-legged Semi-Final defeat of the previously unbeaten Premiers, Melbourne City, culminating in a tense penalty shootout win in the Grand Final against Melbourne Victory.

In achieving this triumph, Husband became only the fourth female coach to win a Ninja A-League Championship.

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Following the announcement of Husband’s departure, the club stated that she is set to “pursue an exciting opportunity to advance her career” after her two seasons with the Mariners.

“I’d like to extend my gratitude to the club for this opportunity; I wouldn’t be where I am today without it,” said Husband.

“To all the staff and players I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the past two years, thank you for your hard work and dedication. The wonderful memories and successes we’ve shared will always remain with me.

“Lastly, I want to thank the Mariners Family. The Central Coast is a truly special place. To see our supporter base grow from virtually nothing to between 1,000-2,000 fans at every match has been remarkable, and you have genuinely been the 12th player for the team.”

Mariners CEO Greg Brownlow commented: “On behalf of everyone at the Central Coast Mariners, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude and respect for Emily. Her leadership and commitment have left a lasting impact on our football program.”

“Her exceptional success on the pitch is a reflection of her relentless pursuit of excellence, discipline, and teamwork, inspiring both players and staff.

“Beyond her contributions on the field, Emily has been a mentor, a role model, and a beacon of integrity and passion.

“While we are deeply saddened to see her leave, we take immense pride in her achievements and eagerly await her next chapter.

“We wish Emily all the best moving forward.

“As a club, we will now begin the search for our next Ninja A-League Head Coach, ensuring we take the necessary time to find the right individual who aligns with the Mariners’ vision and strategy.”