Sunshine Coast Wanderers ‘part ways’ with QLD NPL head coach Paul Arnison
The Sunshine Coast Wanderers has terminated the contract of its head coach who “put his heart and soul into the club’” following a string of poor team performances.
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A former professional football player turned Sunshine Coast Wanderers head coach has had his contract terminated mid-season following a string of losses.
The Sunshine Coast Wanderers confirmed on June 5 that it “parted ways” with senior men’s head coach Paul Arnison in the middle of his fifth season with the club.
The Wanderers started the Queensland National Premier League season with two wins and three draws but have since suffered seven straight losses, placing them 10th on the ladder.
Club president Glenn Duncan said it was an incredibly difficult decision made after extensive deliberation.
“The committee’s decision to release Paul from his senior coaching duties was done with the intention to benefit both parties,” Duncan said.
“We felt that the club has changed substantially since the beginning of Paul’s employment, but the direction the club was moving in warranted this move.”
Arnison, who declined to comment at this stage, took on the coaching role in 2019 when the squad won the Football Queensland Premier League.
The win secured the Buderim-based club a spot in the National Premier League Queensland competition where they have remained since 2020.
The 45-year-old former Newcastle United Academy member in England was caught up in the Buderim and Sunshine Coast Wanders 2021 AGM saga that left the two clubs bitterly divided, Arnison without a contract renewal and the local mens FQPL3 side unable to field a team for two seasons.
Duncan said it was tough to see Arnison depart the club.
“Paul has been an integral part of Sunshine Coast Wanderers Football Club and has laid the foundations of what the committee sees as a very powerful club in the future years ahead,” he said.
“Paul was not only a head coach but managed holiday camps, coached junior players and was an active member of the football community.
“He has had both his sons play here and we have seen him as someone that has put his heart and soul into the club.
“It was an extremely difficult decision on a professional and personal level for all of us.”
Duncan said he “thanked Paul for his dedication and commitment and wished him every success in the future”.
The club’s technical director Kevin Aherne-Evans would take over as head coach until a permanent appointment is made.
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