Mark Jackson (footballer, Born 1977)

Mark Graham Jackson (born 30 September 1977) is an English football manager and former player who is the head coach of Australian A-League Men's team Central Coast Mariners. A former defender, he notably played for Scunthorpe United. At international level, he made four appearances for the England U20 national team.

Playing career

As a player Jackson started his career at Leeds United. He turned professional in July 1995 and soon earned a Premiership debut. He last played for reformed Farsley, after his last club Farsley Celtic was wound-up by its administrators on 12 March 2010.

Coaching career

Leeds United

On 10 November 2015, Jackson rejoined his hometown club Leeds United as the under 15/16s coach, rejoining his then former Leeds academy manager Paul Hart at the club.

On 24 June 2016, Jackson was promoted to under-18s co-manager alongside Andy Gray as part of Leeds' academy structure before taking the helm as the sole manager for the 2017–18 season.

In April 2018, his Leeds under-18 side finished the 2017–18 season in first place, thus winning the Professional Development Northern League title.

On 14 September 2020, he was promoted to under-23s head coach, replacing Carlos Corberan who had left the role in the summer to take up a position as head coach at Huddersfield Town.

In May 2021, his under-23s team won the Premier League 2 Division 2, earning promotion to Division 1, in both his first season managing this age group and the team's first season of playing in that division. The team remained unbeaten at home throughout the entire season.

On 3 March 2022, Jackson was promoted to first team coach under new Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch.

Milton Keynes Dons

On 23 December 2022, Jackson was appointed head coach of League One club Milton Keynes Dons. At the time of his appointment, the club were sitting in 22nd position, three points from safety. His first game in charge came three days later where his side won 1–0, a first home league win for the Dons in over four months.

On 9 May 2023, Jackson was sacked by MK Dons after relegation to League Two, having registered six wins in 25 games.

Central Coast Mariners

On 27 September 2023, Jackson was announced as the new coach of reigning A-League champions, Central Coast Mariners, ahead of their title defence. In his first season at the helm, Jackson won the 2023-24 AFC Cup and 2023–24 A-League premiership for finishing top of the table during the regular season.

On 25 May 2024, Jackson's squad defeated Melbourne Victory FC 3–1 at extra time in the 2024 A-League Men Grand Final to become back-to-back champions. Before the game, Jackson was also awarded the Isuzu UTE A-League Coach of the Year award.

Career statistics

Managerial record

Honours

Manager

Central Coast Mariners
* A-League Men Premiership: 2023–24
* A-League Men Championship: 2023–24
* AFC Cup: 2023–24

References

External links

*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jackson, Mark
1977 births
Living people
Footballers from Leeds
Men's association football defenders
English men's footballers
Leeds United F.C. players
Huddersfield Town A.F.C. players
Barnsley F.C. players
Scunthorpe United F.C. players
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. players
Rochdale A.F.C. players
Premier League players
English Football League players
National League (English football) players
England men's youth international footballers
Farsley Celtic F.C. players
Northern Premier League players
English football managers
A-League Men managers
Milton Keynes Dons F.C. managers
Central Coast Mariners FC managers
Leeds United F.C. non-playing staff
Central Coast Mariners FC non-playing staff