Thompson says he was sad to see Gary van Egmond leave the club but  there are no hard feelings over his decision to quit.

But the long-serving Jet is now looking forward to life under Culina and can't wait to kick off pre-season training next week, although the new coach is in Europe for the best part of a fortnight.

Speaking to au.fourfourtwo.com today, Thompson said: "It was obviously disappointing to see Gary move on but I wish him all the best and hope he does well there (the Australian Institute of Sport).  

"As players, we now have to come back in and start work under Branko. He is a very experienced coach and I think you look at it as losing a good one (coach) but gaining a good one.  

"Obviously Branko's been at the club a few months so the players know him but that was in a different role. As a coach, I'm sure he has his own ideas and it means everyone has to go out there and make an impression.

"It's positive in a sense that nobody can afford to be complacent (over selection) or be in a comfort zone."  

While van Egmond has departed, his assistant Mark Jones remains in place so it isn't a case that all previous coaching threads have been cut.   Whoever was in charge for the forthcoming season though, Thompson is confident that the pieces are in place for a good A-League campaign.  

He said: "I think we have a stronger side than last year to be honest and we've definitely been boosted by bringing in experienced players like Ang (Costanzo) and Sash (Petrovski)."

The new coach revealed that a midfielder and a striker were on the 'wanted' list before he departed for his curtailed trip to Europe.