Noel Spencer played for both McKinna and also incoming boss Arnold during his career and he has no doubts the Mariners have appointed the right man.

Spencer feels it was the right  time for a coaching change at the club and believes the Mariners have made a wise choice in plumping for the current Socceroos assistant coach.

It was Arnold who signed Spencer for now defunct NSL club Northern Spirit before he eventually arrived at Bluetongue Stadium to work with McKinna.

He believes Arnold will successfully engage with both players and supporters in his new role.

"I think Graham Arnold is a champion bloke to be honest and I'm confident he'll do a fantastic job there," Spencer told au.fourfourtwo.com today.

"I think the experience he has had with the national team will be invaluable. He has worked alongside and learned from people like Guus Hiddink and Pim Verbeek. I'm sure the Mariners can benefit from that."

Spencer also believes Arnold's international connections can help when it comes to player recruitment.

Since the appointment was announced the club has already been linked with everyone from Scott Chipperfield to Brett Holman.

"Hopefully him being there can help with that (attracting Socceroo talent) and I'm sure the fans would be very happy with that," said Spencer.

The Wollongong-based midfielder is happy that McKinna is retaining his links with the club and feels his place in the club's history is secure.

Spencer added: "Lawrie has been there from the start and he's grafted hard for the club. He's been a big part of the club and its development."