The former Socceroos captain replaces Tony Walmsley, who was sacked after just 18 months in the Mariners' top job.
Former Australia midfielder Paul Okon is expected to be the new coach of A-League battlers Central Coast Mariners before the end of the week.
Affectionately known as 'Paolo', Okon will run his first training session with the Mariners on Tuesday.
The 44 year-old won 28 Socceroos caps and had stints with clubs in Belgium, Italy and England before winning the A-League with Newcastle Jets in his final season as a professional.
Okon soon moved into coaching, taking over the Australia Under-18 job in 2009 and was appointed Australia Under-20 manger in 2012, while also serving as an assistant coach to Miron Bleiberg at Gold Coast United.
