Paul Arnison’s future as Sunshine Coast Wanderers’ coach hangs in the balance as contract saga drags on

An ongoing contractual saga between Paul Arnison and the Sunshine Coast Wanderers is boiling over just days before the fledgling club holds a crucial AGM.

Paul Arnison’s position as Sunshine Coast Wanderers head coach hangs in the balance after revelations he turned down a “derisory” offer from the club’s hierarchy.

Despite guiding the unheralded Wanderers to within a whisker of the National Premier League’s top four, Arnison could soon be a free agent.

Arnison, 45, said it had been more than three months since he had been offered an initial contract.

He said he turned down as it was “unrealistic”.

He said he put in a counter offer but had not heard back.

The ongoing coaching saga comes days before the club was set to hold an annual general meeting.

Wanderers’ chairman Ian Grant confirmed Arnison had been offered a contract but would not comment on the coaching saga until after Wednesday night’s AGM.

Sunshine Coast Wanderers men's coach Paul Arnison says he has grown frustrated with the club amid a contract saga. Photo: File

Arnison, who was one of four nominees for the NPL’s coach of the year, said he was disappointed with the offer.

“It was a derogatory offer. It was unrealistic in the targets they wanted to meet which I don’t think is right or fair,” Arnison said.

“I am not being greedy. I am not asking for massive figures for us to be successful, just a fair wage and budget.

“Being brutally honest, I don’t think they want me.”

Arnison took the reins at the Wanderers in 2019 and won automatic promotion to the state’s top flight that season.

In 2020, the Wanderers weathered a slow start to survive in the NPL.

This season, the Wanderers’ campaign came to a close on Sunday night after a tight 1-1 draw with premiers Peninsula Power.

The Wanderers ended the regular season in fifth, just two points off the all important top four, and a mere nine points off Power.

This season the club had the joint best home record, achieved 16 wins and had doubled its 2021 points tally.

But despite the upward trajectory, Arnison said he could soon be unemployed.

“Over the course of the last three seasons, I think we have done enough as a group. But I don’t feel like I am wanted or respected,” Arnison said.

“Hopefully we can sort something out and resolved at the AGM but not with a derisory offer like that. It’s impossible.”

Sunshine Coast Wanderers’ Brodie Boyce was nominated for young player of the year award.

Arnison said he felt for his playing group whose future was now cloudy.

“The players need to know what’s happening,” he said.

“If you don’t get the head coach signed, some players could leave.”

Arnison said the Wanderers’ budget was dwarfed by the likes of Power, Brisbane Olympic and Gold Coast Knights.

Grant acknowledged the progress made by NPL side under Arnison.

He had previously told the Sunshine Coast Daily the club was in “advance talks” about Arnison’s contract.

However he said he would not comment until later in the week.

Arnison said he was proud of his time as Wanderers coach and said he wished to remain at the helm.

He said the club had improved year on year and that he had unfinished business to achieve.

It was understood there were some divisions opening up within the Wanderers organisation and this week’s AGM was tipped to be a fiery affair.