Official release from Central Coast Mariners

Central Coast Mariners today confirms that foundation Head Coach, Lawrie McKinna, has signed a one-year deal to manage Chongqing Lifan FC in China's League One.

After a spell coaching Chengdu Blades in the Chinese Super League earlier this year, McKinna recently returned to the Mariners working successfully on a part-time basis across a number of the club's platforms including marketing and football operations.

However, with a desire to coach on a full-time basis again and a sense of unfinished business in Chinese football, McKinna has opted to take up Chongqing's attractive offer and guide the men from the Chongqing Olympic Sports Center in 2012.

"I really enjoyed my experience living in China and Chongqing Lifan have given me a fantastic opportunity to finish what I started with Chengdu," McKinna said.

"I have been enjoying my new role with the Mariners but Chongqing put together an appealing proposal that first and foremost gave me the opportunity to coach again."

In a major positive for the Mariners, McKinna's services will not be lost to the club. In fact, McKinna has already been retained for the club's 2012 Asian Champions League (ACL) campaign.

In liaison with Central Coast Mariners coaching and support staff, McKinna will work in a consultancy capacity in order to provide first hand information on the Mariners' ACL opponents.