Jobe Wheelhouse believes the decision of Gary van Egmond to remain in Newcastle will help the Club build towards a bright future.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets captain Jobe Wheelhouse believes the decision of head coach Gary van Egmond to remain in Newcastle will help the Club as it continues to build towards a bright future.
Van Egmond was offered the head-coaching role at Sydney FC last week, but he declined the offer and remains committed to the Jets.
Wheelhouse said he was surprised to hear that van Egmond had been approached to coach Sky Blues, but was glad he had elected to remain in the Hunter.
“It-s good that he-s staying with us. He-s got a contract here and he-s going to fulfill it,” Wheelhouse said.
“We-re trying to implement what he-s trying to do, we-ve always done that and he-s had our backing.
“We-re doing quite well and we-re trying to build things for the future.
“We-ve got quite a young squad and he-s brought a lot of those players here and I don-t see why he-d want to abandon them now.”
Wheelhouse said the entire Jets squad was on board with van Egmond-s vision for the Club including having a balanced blend of youthful and experienced players.
“There-s enough older heads around to nurture those young players,” Wheelhouse said.
“Gary-s had a lot of those players at the Institute of Sport and the philosophy hasn-t changed so of course the young players are buying into it (as well).”
After conceding three goals for the third time in four games last weekend, Wheelhouse said the Jets are as determined as ever to secure their first clean sheet of the season against Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
“We-re sitting in equal third on the ladder and that-s not a disaster by any means, but it-s been well documented that we haven-t had a clean sheet and that-s what we-re trying to implement,” Wheelhouse said.
“We want to keep clean sheets and it makes it easier for our front boys not having to score three or four goals every game.”
