One year into his tenure as head coach of the Newcastle Jets, Mark Milligan is still reluctant to measure success in milestones.
The former Socceroo, who stepped into his first senior coaching role at the start of the campaign, has built a season around youth, local connection and an attacking brand of football that has re-engerised the squad and its supporters.
Milligan says the early decisions around squad structure were shaped by opportunity, which allowed him to mould the group in the direction he wanted.
“I was fortunate that when I arrived, there were a few players coming out of contract,” he said.
“That gave us the chance to look at players we thought could add to what was already here.
“The squad was already quite young, which is what we wanted.
“So we were able to add a little bit of experience but also really spend time looking at youth teams and identifying players we felt could step into our environment and make a difference.”
That commitment to having a young squad has become a defining feature of the Jets’ campaign, but for Milligan it was as much about culture as performance.
“It was very important for us to bring in some local boys,” Milligan said.
“A big part of what we wanted to do was resonate with the community and the fans of Newcastle and have a team that represented the values of the town, especially in the way we went about our football.”
Milligan believes those local players have played a key role in shaping standards within the team.
“They’re able to get the message across about what it means to play for the Jets quicker than any information the coaching staff can give,” he explained.
“That helped on a couple of fronts, not just giving them an opportunity, but helping create the culture we wanted.”
On the field, that culture has translated into a playing style built around possession and freedom to attack.
“I always want my team to be on the front foot,” he said.
“I want them to be entertaining, to have the ball and to enjoy what they do.
“My role is to provide them with a platform and protection as well, because the way we play is not easy.
“As long as they know they have that support from us, it gives them the freedom to express themselves within our structures and principles.”
The shift from assistant coach to head coach has also brought lessons beyond training, however Milligan credits the staff around him for helping him grow into the role.
“You can prepare as much as you like, but there are always situations you have to learn on the job,” he admitted.
“A lot of my learning has probably come away from the football side of things – dealing with the board and the business of football, not just the part everyone sees.
“It’s very important that I have people around me who challenge me.
“You don’t want ‘yes’ people.
“I need to be pushed to keep learning and getting better as well.”
From the outset, Milligan says he set out a two-year plan for the club’s development, and right now they are ticking all the boxes.
“I think we are on track with what we wanted to achieve,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.
“However, I still feel like there’s a lot of growth in this group, both individually and as a team.
“We never wanted to put limits on what this group could achieve.
“I don’t want them to feel satisfied.
“I want them to stay ambitious.”
Despite the Jets’ success this season, Milligan has been careful not to allow the group to measure itself by silverware.
“Obviously you set out with the best intentions and we had high hopes for this group,” he said.
“We focus on week to week.
“If you look too far ahead, you can miss what’s happening in the moment.
“What this team has created this season is special, and I just want them to enjoy it while continuing to grow.”
For Milligan, however, the most rewarding part of his first year as coach has not come from results, despite being so successful.
“I really enjoy the process that we’re going through,” he said.
“Personally, I enjoy watching these players grow, not just as footballers but as people as well.
“For me, seeing where we started and where they are now, and knowing there’s so much more to come, has probably been the best part.
“I’m very much focused on what’s next.”
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