Football: Ernie Merrick named Newcastle coach

Ernie Merrick has signed a two-year deal with the Newcastle Jets. Photo / Getty Images.

Ernie Merrick has been confirmed as coach of the Newcastle Jets for the next two A-League seasons.

Merrick had been a frontrunner for the Jets role since Mark Jones was sacked last month, one year into a two-year deal.

The 64-year-old will join the Jets as one of the A-League's most experienced and decorated coaches.

During 241 A-League games, Merrick won the 2007 and 2009 titles with A-League heavyweights Melbourne Victory.

He most recently coached at Wellington Phoenix, taking the New Zealand franchise to the 2015 finals series before stepping down eight games into the 2016-17 season.

Earlier reports suggest Merrick beat former Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean for the job.

Jones, who oversaw a woeful late-season collapse to seal the wooden spoon, was the third first-year A-League coach to be dismissed in as many years.

It led Jets chief executive Lawrie McKinna to highlight the need for an experienced head coach to haul the club out of the doldrums.

McKinna said Merrick's A-League experience and record stood out from a large pack of highly credentialed candidates.

"At this point in the club's development we believe it is crucial that someone with a deep understanding of the Hyundai A-League both on and off the pitch takes charge of our first team and football department," McKinna said.

"Ernie brings this in spades, and not only the first team but everyone associated with the club should benefit from his knowledge, experience, and winning mentality in some way."

The Jets have signed Central Coast striker Roy O'Donovan, and Melbourne Victory defender and Joe Marston Medallist Daniel Georgievski, but still have 10 players off contract.

"I believe that the club has all the necessary ingredients for on-field success with a strong core of good quality players, a very competent staff, excellent facilities, and most importantly a wealth of extremely passionate fans," Merrick said.

- AAP