After the confirmation last week by Football Federation Australia that United will compete in the expanded competition from next season, Bleiberg finalised his talks with Okon who as a player was one of Australia’s most gifted exports.

A highly respected TV pundit, Okon says the opportunity to move to Gold Coast United and coach alongside Miron Bleiberg was too good to turn down.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Mironm" said Okon. "He likes to play attractive, exciting football and that’s the kind of football I like to see and coach.

"It’s a great opportunity for me to break into coaching and I can’t wait to get started.”

He added: “I visited the Gold Coast in 2007 and told myself then if a club was born in the region I would jump at the chance of being involved.

“It’s a beautiful area, offers a fantastic lifestyle and is growing all the time. The Gold Coast is more than ready for a club in the Hyundai A-League and we can make it a great club.”

The 36-year-old former Socceroos skipper began his career with Marconi in the old National League (NSL) before being lured overseas to Belgium.

Stints at many top European clubs, including Lazio and Fiorentina in Italy's Serie A, Middlesbrough and Leeds United in the English Premiership and Club Brugge in Belgium's Jupiler League, honed his talents even further.

His career was punctuated by injury but his fitness misfortunes did not prevent him from achieving 37 caps in total with the Australian national team.

With his leadership qualities evident, Okon captained the Socceroos on 24 occasions and represented his country at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

Returning to home soil, Okon spent the 2006/07 season with the Newcastle Jets in the Hyundai A-League before injury brought down the curtain on his playing career.

Upon hiring one of Australia’s most respected players as his lieutenant, United boss Miron Bleiberg immediately ‘promoted’ Okon, saying the title of Assistant Coach did not do justice to a player of his standing.

“Paul’s contribution and influence into the team and the club will be far greater than you would normally receive from an Assistant Coach,” said Bleiberg.

"Therefore I would like to rename his position now as First Team Coach. I will be Head Coach and Paul will be First Team Coach.

“Credentials aside, sometimes you get a gut feeling about someone and I have a very good feeling about Paul. I like him as a person and I like the way he goes about his business.

“The success of any organisation is driven by the people who run it. As Head Coach & Director of Football it is my job to appoint the best people around me and in Paul Okon I have someone who is not only a winner, but played the game with style and finesse.

“Paul has all the ingredients for success. He’s completed a lot of coaching study since he ended his playing days and his experience at the top level will be of great benefit to us.”



PAUL OKON FACT-FILE

Senior career:
1989-1991 - Marconi Stallions (Australia) 49 apps (4 goals).
1991-1996 - Club Brugge (Belgium) 72 apps (1 goal).
1996-1999 - Lazio (Italy) 19 apps.
1999-2000 - Fiorentina (Italy) 11 apps.
2000-2002 - Middlesbrough (England) 28 apps.
2002-2002 - Watford (England) 15 apps.
2002-2003 - Leeds United (England) 21 apps.
2003-2003 - Vicenza (Italy) 11 apps.
2004-2005 - Oostende (Belgium) 48 apps.
2005-2006 - Apoel Nicosia (Cyprus) 11 apps.
2006-2007 - Newcastle Jets (Australia) 17 apps.

Representative honours:
Australian senior team: 28 full international appearances 1991–2003 (incl non ‘A’ internationals 37 matches, 1 goal, 1990-2003).
Australian national team captain 24 times, 1996-2003.
Australia Under 23 and Under 20 representative.

Career highlights:
NSL U-21 Player of the Year 1989-90, 1990-91.
FIFA World Youth Cup (Portugal) 1991.
Olympic Games (Barcelona) 1992.
Player of the Year ‘Belgian Golden Shoe’ 1995.
Belgian League Championship 1995.
Belgian Cup winner 1995, 1996.
Oceania Player of the Year 1996.