Mike Phelan to leave Mariners: UK report

Mike Phelan will not be continuing as sporting director of A-League club Central Coast following his permanent appointment as Manchester United's assistant manager, according to UK media reports.

Press Association Sport understands Sir Alex Ferguson's former right-hand man, who returned to Old Trafford to work alongside then caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, will focus on that role.

Phelan was linked with the technical director vacancy at the Premier League giant but United announced last week that he had signed a three-year deal to remain assistant manager.

The 56-year-old has been balancing that job as sporting director of the Central Coast Mariners in recent months.

Phelan, who took up the Mariners' post last July, remains listed as sporting director on the club's website but the Press Association Sport understands he will not be staying on in that position.

Solskjaer, who signed his own three-year contract in March, confirmed that Michael Carrick, Kieran McKenna and Mark Dempsey will remain part of United's coaching team along with Phelan next season.