Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth could force coaches to sign Usain Bolt

[Ulquiorra]

FORMER Socceroo Mark Bosnich believes a situation could arise where Central Coast Mariners coach Mike Mulvey might have no choice but to sign Usain Bolt to a permanent deal at the club.

The eight-time Olympic gold medallist is currently on an ‘indefinite trial’ with the A-League club, in the hope of winning a full-time contract.

“Just to reiterate what I said, it’s the guy’s dream to play professional football so he deserves a trial,” Bosnich said on Fox Sports’ Bill & Boz.

“For me, for it to work he doesn’t have to be outstanding but he has to be at least competent. And that will remain to be seen so we saw a few pictures of him at the training.

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“Don’t rule out the fact as well, and this has to be taken into consideration, that if the guy upstairs – [Mariners owner Mike] Charlesworth, the boss, turns around and says to those two ‘you have to sign him’ then they’ll have no choice.”

Many have criticised the move as a gimmick or publicity stunt, but the Mariners maintain that they’ll give the sprint star time to prove his worth.

“If it takes 12 months, I’ll say that out loud, I’m happy for him to be here,” Mariners coach Mike Mulvey said.

“He’s already brought the biggest throng of media to this area. The spotlight is on the Central Coast, it’s on the people within the Central Coast and I think that’s fantastic. It’s all fine with me.”

However, according to Bosnich, the head coach mightn’t get the chance to make the final call on Bolt, if club owner Mike Charlesworth steps in and insists a deal is to be done.

Bolt was on hand, decked out in Mariners gear, to watch his team’s 2-2 friendly draw with the Newcastle Jets in Maitland on Saturday.

The world’s fastest man sat pitch side to take in the action but is expected to take to the field himself next Friday as the Mariners battle a Central Coast Select XI – broadcast live on Fox Sports.