Stalder filled the void left by the departure of John McKay two years ago and becomes the latest to step through a revolving door which saw former coach Lawrie McKinna quit his ambassadorial role last December and coach Phil Moss sacked last month, 16 months after succeeding Graham Arnold.
Coming the other way, former West Ham United and Portsmouth CEO Peter Storrie was appointed executive chairman in February after taking on a consultant’s role late last year and ex-Perth Glory coach David Mitchell was also appointed to the board by owner Mike Charlesworth this year.
Former Mariners youth team coach Tony Walmsley arrived back at the club from a spell at Sheffield United to be installed as technical director in February and was appointed interim coach after the axing of Moss.
His transformation was made complete when he last week accepted a one-year contract to take the gig on for next season after another candidate dropped out of the race of the top job.
Storrie declined to confirm the latest backroom manoeuvres by the club when contacted by The World Game on Saturday but it’s understood the Mariners, who are seeking to reinvigorate their fortunes both on and off the field, will make an official announcement early next week.
Mielekamp has an ambidextrous sporting background having worked alongside Hollywood star Russell Crowe at South Sydney Rabbitohs and Phil Gould at Penrith Panthers before switching from the NRL to the A-League with his appointment at the Wanderers during the club’s genesis under then chairman Lyall Gorman.
