Rumours have swirled in recent weeks that Sydney Olympic coach Labinot Haliti would leave the club for a senior role at Central Coast Mariners, potentially clashing with current head coach Mark Jackson as part of sweeping changes at Gosford.
However, The Greek Herald understands Haliti will remain with the NPL club until the conclusion of the upcoming Australian Championship, with his immediate focus fixed on preparing Olympic for their historic entry into the new competition.
Speculation about Mariners’ restructuring has also intensified amid talk of Sydney Olympic chairman Damon Hanlin funding the A-League side. Yet those suggestions have been played down, with the Australian Professional Leagues confirming no formal bid has been lodged.
An APL spokesperson told The Greek Herald: “Any change in ownership is subject to the APL receiving and reviewing the required documentation in line with our governance framework. We have not received a formal proposal in relation to any investment into the Central Coast Mariners.”
While discussions about the future structure of the Mariners’ football department continue, it remains unclear what role – if any – Haliti or Olympic-linked officials will take at Gosford.
Haliti, a former A-League player with Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers, has coached Olympic since 2023 but has yet to take the side into NPL NSW finals football. The club closed the 2025 season in ninth place, ending with a 1-0 home defeat to APIA Leichhardt.
For many Olympic fans, the prospect of their coach stepping into a powerful role at an A-League club raises questions about the club’s future direction. While some view it as an opportunity for greater influence, others worry Olympic risks being reduced to a feeder side, with their best players funnelled north.
