Reports: Manchester United show interest in Central Coast Mariners A-League license

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The battle between two of football’s biggest club could soon reach global proportions with reports that Manchester United are in talks to buy Central Coast Mariners.

Reports in the Sydney Morning Herald this morning have linked the Red Devils with the Central Coast Mariners in a bid to purchase the club’s A-League license and move them from Gosford to the northern suburbs of Sydney.

Manchester United assistant coach Mike Phelan is already the Mariners’ Sporting Director, a post he has held since 2018.

Any purchase of the Mariners’ A-League license and plans to rebrand and move the club from its traditional home on the Central Coast would have to be approved by the majority of A-League clubs.

The move would be United’s first into foreign club ownership and would see them follow in the footsteps of their neighbours, Manchester City.

The City Football Group has a controlling stake in Melbourne City – which they purchased in January 2014, buying an 80% share of the club before later buying out the remaining 20%.

CFG’s stable of clubs also includes New York City (United States), Yokohama F. Marinos (Japan), Girona (Spain), Montevideo City Torque (Uruguay), Sichuan Jiuniu (China), Lommel SK (Belgium) and Troyes AC (France).

The Red Devils have some catching up to do if their plans are to compete with CFG for global domination, but a first foray into foreign ownership in Australia with a potentially rebranded Mariners would put them in direct competition with City in the A-League.

It is unclear how much United will have to pay for the license, however, the club was reported to be worth more than $5 billion by Forbes in 2020.

Despite the club’s strong revenue streams – revenue hit $905 million last year – United is a club that remains heavily in debt as a result of the club’s leveraged takeover by the American Glazer family in 2005.

The Glazers borrowed over £500 million to finance their purchase of the club, a debt the club has been paying off ever since

United’s net debt remains above £450m according to reports from earlier this year.

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WA announce TV series for Sam Kerr’s children’s novels

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Image Credit: James Ross/AAP

A new TV series based on Sam Kerr’s children’s books ‘Kicking Goals’ is set to begin filming in early 2027 in Western Australia.

The show follows a young Kerr before she became captain of the Matildas and a star at Chelsea FC. Set in her home state of WA, the story sees her navigate her way through growing up and chasing her dreams, alongside her family and friends, and the adventures that entailed.

Speaking to Screenwest, Kerr said, ‘It’s pretty surreal knowing that Kicking Goals is being adapted into a TV series. These stories are all about believing in yourself and having a go, so it feels really special that a whole new generation will get to experience them on screen.’

Co-authored by Fiona Harris, the books have been a success since their initial release in 2021, a period which has coincided with Kerr and her Matildas teammates growing from beloved within Australia’s football community, into a team of genuine national appeal and recognition. They are available nation-wide, sold at major retailers such as Big W and Dymocks.

The television adaptation will beproduced by Orange Entertainment for Paramount+.

‘Kicking Goals’ is set to inject AUD 5million into the WA economy and provide over 130 local jobs.

Creative Industries Minister of WA, Simone McGurk, said via WA GOV, ‘The series will showcase all that Western Australia has to offer – including our world-class talent, crew, and diverse locations – while celebrating the story of one of our sporting greats.’

Casting is currently underway, with a search for a young Kerr and her mates ongoing.

The months after the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australian and New Zealand saw an 11% increase in women and girl’s participation in football compared to the previous year, showing the direct impact the biggest stage can have on grassroots football.

Kerr has managed to build on that success and begin a new chapter, inspiring kids both on and off the field.

Former Socceroos captain set to headline coaching conference

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Mark Mulligan. Credit A League

Mark Milligan – former Socceroos captain and Newcastle Jets Premiership-winning manager – is set to be the guest of honour at the 2026 Football NSW Coaching Conference, held at Valentine Sports Park from November 21st–22nd.

The annual conference represents Australia’s largest gathering of football coaches, and is set to include expert insight into coaching, practical sessions and development plans for attendees. Milligan will partake in a Q&A session with MC Stephanie Brantz on November 21, adding significant gravitas to the conference.

Chris Gallo, Football NSW Coach Education Manager spoke highly of Milligan via Football NSW.

‘Opportunities to hear from people who have experienced the game at the highest level are incredibly valuable for our coaches. Mark brings a unique perspective on leadership, performance and the demands of elite football, and we want our coaches to be able to take those insights back into their own environments,’ he said.

Milligan traversed the globe across a near-twenty year professional career that started in the old National Soccer League, concluded in the A-League, and took in time across Europe, the UK and Asia.

He represented the Socceroos with distinction across 80 appearances, selected by four seperate managers in World Cup squads, and was captain of the Olympic team in 2008. His nascent managerial career has already seen two trophies at Newcastle, where he is presently leading them in the Asian Champions League.

But it all began on the local pitches of Bankstown. Milligan is an authentic, home-grown product of Football NSW, and emblamatic of the rewards that can be reaped from investing in the beginning of a player’s journey.

With the conference already selling out, attendees can now expect to learn plemty from one of Australia’s most exciting, up-and-coming coaches.

The opportunity Football NSW are providing showcases their commitment in helping coaches develop, and their continued pledge of giving back to the game at its foundation.

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