Jets got sick of waiting for Arnie

Graham Arnold took too long to make a decision for Newcastle’s liking. Source: John Dewberry / Supplied

HE was their first choice coach but in the end, it was the lack of any real commitment from Graham Arnold that left the Newcastle Jets feeling there was no option than to terminate negotiations with the former Socceroos assistant coach.

The Jets announced on Thursday they had officially withdrawn from the race to sign Arnold with Sydney FC now considered the favourite to snare him as coach.

It’s understood the former Central Coast Mariners coach was told of the Jets’ decision earlier this week with the club now pressing ahead and believed to be close to signing an alternate coaching candidate.

“Even before Graham became available, we were excited about the process we were going through from a coaching selection point of view and nothing has changed,” Jets CEO Robbie Middleby said on Thursday.

“People will be disappointed that Graham won’t be at the club but we certainly haven’t put all our eggs in the one basket and we’ll come up with the right person to lead the club forward.”

Middleby would not be drawn on why the club had ended the negotiations.

“Look, there were a number of factors that led to the decision we’ve made but out of respect for Graham, we are keeping the reasons confidential,” he said.

Newcastle Jets CEO Robbie Middleby with interim coach Clayton Zane. Source: Supplied

“I just wished him all the best when I let him know.”

Sources close to the club said Arnold’s refusal to make a firm commitment to the Jets was the major reason.

After meeting will him twice over the course of the past fortnight, the club eventually imposed a deadline of late last week for a decision on their offer which Arnold did not meet and by Monday morning, he still could not give them an answer.

“The Jets want a coach that is going to be 100 percent committed and there was a feeling he was stalling for time, waiting to see if and what Sydney comes up with first before making his mind up,” the source said.

“In the end, I think the Jets just got sick of waiting.”

On Thursday night Arnold’s agent, Tony Rallis said that his client and the Jets had had “different timelines” that could not be reconciled.

“Arnie is not in a situation to be rushed, he just wants to make the right decision,” Rallis said. “Newcastle had to move quickly, we respect that, and we wish them all the best.

“Graham is now on holiday, and I expect him to make some decisions when he returns.”

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