Mariners legend Hutchinson heads back to A-League with Western Melbourne

A-League newcomers Western Melbourne will imminently announce Central Coast Mariners legend John Hutchinson as the latest addition to their coaching team.

John Hutchinson during a Mariners training session Source: Getty Images

The move comes hot on the heels of the fledgling outfit’s unveiling of Bentleigh Greens’ NPL heavyweight John Anastasiadis as an assistant to their yet-to-be-appointed head coach.

With their entry into an 11-team competition just nine months away, Gippsland-born Hutchinson - coach of Seattle Sounders’ second team since last January after a stint as Mariners assistant - is understood to have accepted the offer to come home.

The Sounders 2 play in the second-tier USL, with Hutchinson, 39, joining the franchise as a first team assistant nearly two years ago.

The former Malta international made a record 228 appearances during his ten years in Gosford, and captained the club to their solitary A-League championship in 2013 when they dispatched Western Sydney Wanderers in the grand final.

While Western Melbourne have Hutchinson in the bag, their dogged pursuit of Celtic skipper Scott Brown has yet to deliver their man, with the 33-year-old midfielder also offered a contract extension by the Bhoys.

Brown, who is off contract in June after 11 trophy-laden years with the Hoops, is understood to have been offered a lucrative two-year deal by WMG, with the option of a third season.

Celtic are prepared to extend for a further year - leaving Brown with a difficult decision to make.

It’s one that Western Melbourne believe may yet fall in their favour, despite reports in Scotland he is more likely to remain in Glasgow.