The architect of the Mariners’ treble triumph allowed himself only a brief window to savour the moment after his team’s stunning extra time grand final win over Melbourne Victory before boarding a plane to England to complete his pro licence in his home country.

The A-League’s template for scouting nous, player development and survival on a pauper’s budget, the Mariners resilience and talent identification networks will be tested to the limit again in the off season with key players like Josh Nisbet, Max Balard and Jacob Farrell almost certain to depart Gosford.

Central Coast have been here before and have responded by plucking ready made replacements from their famed academy.

The feeling, though, is that this time the current crop might quite not be oven ready to take the leap, making Jackson’s job just that little bit more exacting.

“With all due respect we’re not one of the bigger clubs as regards to finances and our sustainability has always been about producing players and allowing them to move on to bigger things in their careers,” Jackson told FTBL.

“We know where we are and how we work and we have to do things a little bit differently. We’re all about producing and developing players and we want to see them go on and eventually play in bigger leagues, because they want to perform at the highest level possible. 

“At the same time, we want to remain extremely competitive and we have to achieve a balance that when players go out we bring the right replacements in.

“When you’ve had the season we’ve had - winning the treble - I’d be surprised if other clubs weren’t interested in our players.

“Our goal is really to try and stay one step ahead (of the other A-League clubs). We’re constantly thinking about how we can work better and smarter. You can’t ever stand still.”

Jackson’s predecessor Nick Montgomery, the man who recommended the former Leeds United youth guru as his replacement, left the foundations of a title winning squad in place.

The challenge now for Jackson, having already taken the team he inherited to the next level, is to build and mould a squad in his own image.

“There was a hell of a lot of work to do when we came in because the team had lost six players and its manager,” he added. 

“Before I came in we’d already lost two games - the foundations were there and we’ve built on them for sure.

“We’ve worked with the players superbly well and every one of them has developed, as have the coaching staff.

“It’s all about creating a high performance environment. There’s plenty of potential in the academy but things go in cycles and maybe we’re at a stage where perhaps (a significant number) breaking through in the next 12 months might not be possible.

“I’m very hands on with the youth system at this club - it’s all about aligning a philosophy through all the age groups through to the first team.

“As for signings, we have a wide data base of players who want to join us because they know they can develop here.”