Stewart could move to A-League

After five games in charge, Woodlands Wellington coach Darren Stewart could be off to greener pastures.

The New Paper understands the 47-year-old has been approached to take the helm of Australian side Newcastle Jets as they prepare for the new A-League season, which is set to begin in August.

The former Australian international defender was appointed head coach of Great Eastern-Yeo's S.League side Woodlands in January and his team are unbeaten this season.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told TNP: "Darren has been asked by the Newcastle Jets to interview for the head coach position. He'll have to fly to Australia next week to meet the club's bigwigs.

"Word in Australia is that he's their No. 1 target."

When contacted last night, Stewart - whose teams have never finished in the bottom half of the S.League since he first took charge of Gombak United in 2009 - was coy.

He said: "I can't comment on the matter and right now I'm just focused on our game against Warriors tomorrow."

Stewart is understood to be one of three candidates for the Jets job, with one other possibility being the current caretaker coach, Clayton Zane, who replaced Gary van Egmond in January.

Stewart, a Newcastle native, has been linked with the Jets since last November.

As a player, he turned out for the Newcastle Breakers in the Australian National Football League - before the club was renamed the Newcastle Jets.

If he does get the job, he will be the first coach to move from the S.League to the A-League.

This article was published on April 3 in The New Paper.

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