The Gosford club finished bottom of the league after its strategy of relying on inexperienced youngsters playing in an attacking style failed to pay dividends.

Okon, who was a distinguished midfielder and defender in a lengthy career which saw him play in Italy, Belgium and the English Premier League, has signed a two-year deal after being recommended for the job by Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou.

Okon replaces Tony Walmsley, who was axed after the club recorded its worst ever season, taking just 13 points from its 27 matches and conceding 70 goals in the process.

There were a number of candidates interviewed, with former New Zealand and Wellington Phoenix boss Ricki Herbert touted as a strong chance to get the job. However, Okon got the nod and will take his first training session on Tuesday.

Okon, who was inducted into the Football Federation Australia Hall of Fame in 2009, is another member of the so-called "golden generation" of Australian players who made an impression in Europe to get their chance coaching at A-League level.

Former international colleagues Graham Arnold, Kevin Muscat, Tony Popovic, John Aloisi and Aurelio Vidmar have all coached in the competition with varying degrees of success during the past decade.

The 44-year-old Okon has worked as the head coach of the Australian under-20 side for the past four years, having previously had a short spell in the A-League as Miron Bleiberg's assistant at Gold Coast United.

He faces an enormous task. For years the Mariners were the poor relations of the league but defied gravity by consistently producing attractive teams that punched above their weight, reaching four grand finals and finally winning the title at their fourth attempt in 2013. But it has all been downhill since then and the club badly needs some stability and consistency to regain credibility.

Peter Storrie, the Mariners executive vice-chairman, said Okon's extensive knowledge of young players, understanding of the league and knowledge of the club were important factors in his appointment.

"Paul is dedicated to fan engagement and installing a brand of exciting football that will bring more fans to Central Coast Stadium. He also comes highly regarded from Ange Postecoglou who we approached for advice towards the final stages of the interview process.

"The club had over 60 first-class applicants from around the world which is a testament to the drawing power of the A-League," Storrie said. "The process allowed us to look at one of the club's most important policies – giving youth a chance, which Paul fits perfectly.

"Harry Redknapp [the former West Ham and Tottenham manager] also played an important role in the recruitment process and agreed with our final decision to appoint an Australian coach compared to the raft of overseas candidates who applied for the position," Storrie said.

Okon said he wanted his side to play attractive football and give fans a reason to want to come to Gosford, although clearly he will have to tighten things up at the back and be rather more pragmatic than Walmsley was.

"After a disappointing season we want to grow our supporter base and the only way we can do that is by playing a brand of football that's going to excite people and get people talking about our club again.

"One thing that I've learnt to accept and do my best with at a national team level has been preparing players with limited time so it's not new to me at all, it's a part of what I've been doing for four-and-a-half years.

"Local knowledge of the A-League, its challenges and its players, is probably one of the most important things that you need to have so I think that will work to our advantage and I've been watching a lot of football [the past four years especially] so I know what's going to work and where we can excel.

"The biggest enjoyment I've had over the past four-and-a-half years is seeing young players develop and this is something I plan to do at the Mariners."

Socceroos boss Postecoglou welcomed the appointment and spoke about the importance of developing good young coaches in the A-League.

"I'm not only a big believer in Australian players but also Australian coaches and it is important that as we grow as a football nation that we give opportunity to young coaches in the A-League and I applaud Central Coast for considering a few young Australian coaches for the role," Postecoglou said.

"Paul is a good young coach who has spent time in the national team system and deserves a chance to grow as a coach.

"He is one of numerous young coaches in Australia, many of whom are finding their way in the various NPL competitions, that we should be encouraging because the future of football in this country is not only linked to the development of young players but also young coaches," Postecoglou said.