The Sydney Football Club insist they have a coaching Plan B despite being spurned by sought-after Graham Arnold, who will remain with A-League rivals the Central Coast Mariners.
Sydney FC's deal to lure Arnold away from the Mariners, whom he has taken to a grand final, league title and the cusp of Asian Champions League second stage qualification in his two years at the helm, fell apart last night.
In a major slap in the face for Sydney, he will stay with Mariners on an extended deal for the next two A-League seasons, and it is understood on substantially improved financial terms.
The Sky Blues now face being left last men standing on the A-League's unprecedented coaching-go-round.
The Melbourne Heart will announce their new coach today, either youth coach John Aloisi or current assistant Ante Milicic.
