Mark Jackson (footballer, born 1977)

Mark Jackson

Personal information
Full name	Mark Graham Jackson
Date of birth	(1977-09-30) 30 September 1977 (age 47)
Place of birth	Leeds, England
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Central Coast Mariners (manager)
Youth career
0000–1995	Leeds United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1995–2000	Leeds United	19	(0)
1998	→ Huddersfield Town (loan)	5	(0)
2000	→ Barnsley (loan)	1	(0)
2000–2005	Scunthorpe United	136	(4)
2005–2006	Kidderminster Harriers	39	(3)
2006–2007	Rochdale	24	(0)
2007–2010	Farsley Celtic	31	(1)
2010–2015	Farsley
International career
1997	England U20	4	(0)
Managerial career
2020–2022	Leeds United U23
2022–2023	Milton Keynes Dons
2023–	Central Coast Mariners
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Mark Graham Jackson (born 30 September 1977) is an English football manager and former player who is the head coach of Australian A-League Men's team Central Coast Mariners.[1] A former defender, he notably played for Scunthorpe United. At international level, he made four appearances for the England U20 national team.

Playing career

As a player Jackson started his career at Leeds United. He turned professional in July 1995 and soon earned a Premiership debut. He last played for reformed Farsley, after his last club Farsley Celtic was wound-up by its administrators on 12 March 2010.

Coaching career

Leeds United

On 10 November 2015, Jackson rejoined his hometown club Leeds United as the under 15/16s coach, rejoining his then former Leeds academy manager Paul Hart at the club.[2]

On 24 June 2016, Jackson was promoted to under-18s co-manager alongside Andy Gray as part of Leeds' academy structure before taking the helm as the sole manager for the 2017–18 season.[3]

In April 2018, his Leeds under-18 side finished the 2017–18 season in first place, thus winning the Professional Development Northern League title.[4]

On 14 September 2020, he was promoted to under-23s head coach, replacing Carlos Corberan who had left the role in the summer to take up a position as head coach at Huddersfield Town.[5]

In May 2021, his under-23s team won the Premier League 2 Division 2, earning promotion to Division 1, in both his first season managing this age group and the team's first season of playing in that division. The team remained unbeaten at home throughout the entire season.[6]

On 3 March 2022, Jackson was promoted to first team coach under new Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch.[7]

Milton Keynes Dons

On 23 December 2022, Jackson was appointed head coach of League One franchise Milton Keynes Dons.[8] At the time of his appointment, the club were sitting in 22nd position, three points from safety. His first game in charge came three days later where his side won 1–0, a first home league win for the Dons in over four months.

On 9 May 2023, Jackson was sacked by MK Dons after relegation to League Two, having registered six wins in 25 games.[9]

Central Coast Mariners

On 27 September 2023, Jackson was announced as the new coach of reigning A-League champions, Central Coast Mariners, ahead of their title defence.[10] In his first season at the helm, Jackson won the 2023-24 AFC Cup and 2023-24 A-League premiership for finishing top of the table during the regular season.[11][12]

On 25 May 2024, Jackson's squad defeated Melbourne Victory FC 3-1 at extra time in the 2024 A-League Men Grand Final to become back-to-back champions.[13] Before the game, Jackson was also awarded the Isuzu UTE A-League Coach of the Year award.[14]

Career statistics

Managerial record

As of Jan 29 2025

Managerial record by team and tenure

Team	Nat	From	To	Record								Ref
				G	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Win %
Milton Keynes Dons		23 December 2022	9 May 2023	25	6	9	10	23	35	−12	024.00	[15]
Central Coast Mariners		27 September 2023	Present	66	32	16	18	120	87	+33	048.48
Total				91	38	25	28	143	122	+21	041.76

Honours

Manager

Central Coast Mariners

• A-League Men Premiership: 2023-24

• AFC Cup: 2023-24

References

1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
2. "Leeds United coaching role for former Scunthorpe United captain Mark Jackson". Scunthorpe Telegraph. Retrieved 10 November 2015.^[permanent dead link‍]
3. "ACADEMY: 2016/17 STRUCTURE CONFIRMED". Leeds United Official Site. 24 June 2016. Archived from the original on 28 September 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
4. "Inside Thorp Arch: 'These lads need to feel what it's like to win something for Leeds United'". Yorkshire Evening Post. 30 April 2018. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
5. "MARK JACKSON TO LEAD UNDER-23S". Leeds United Official Site. 14 September 2020. Archived from the original on 17 September 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
6. "U23 Report: Leeds United 5-2 Burnley". www.leedsunited.com. 3 May 2021. Archived from the original on 3 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
7. "Leeds United announce Jesse Marsch's backroom team including new Mark Jackson role". www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk. 3 March 2022. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
8. "Mark Jackson appointed MK Dons Head Coach". www.mkdons.com. 23 December 2022. Archived from the original on 23 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
9. "Mark Jackson: MK Dons sack head coach after relegation to League Two". BBC Sport. 9 May 2023. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
10. "Mark Jackson joins the Central Coast Mariners". Central Coast Mariners FC. 27 September 2023. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
11. "Central Coast Mariners become first Australian club to win AFC Cup". ABC News (Australia). 6 May 2024.
12. "Central Coast Mariners secure A-league Men's premier's plate with win over Adelaide United". ABC News (Australia). 2 February 2024.
13. Rugari, Vince (25 May 2024). "Mariners fans celebrate fairytale treble after beating Victory in thrilling grand final". The Sydney Morning Herald. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
14. "Mariners boss caps stellar debut season with Isuzu UTE A-League Coach of the Year award". A-Leagues. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
15. "MK Dons Results". Soccerbase. CenturyComm. Archived from the original on 2 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2021.

External links

• Mark Jackson at Soccerbase