Usain Bolt's agent says he has been offered Mariners deal, coach is unaware

Usain Bolt’s agent Ricky Simms has said that the eight-time Olympic sprint gold medalist has received an A-League contract offer from the Central Coast Mariners however the club’s manager, Mike Mulvey, said he knew nothing about it.

“In response to the media stories, yes, Usain has been offered a contract. I do not want to make any further comment at this stage,” Simms said.

Andrea Pirlo and Francesco Totti: do short-term marquee signings really have an effect? Read more

If so, no one told Mulvey, who, speaking after his side’s 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar, not only denied any knowledge of a contract offer, but wondered if Bolt could fit into the team.

“You have a look at our front line today and you wonder whether he could get into any of those positions, wouldn’t you?” Mulvey said. “I do appreciate how important this story is for the rest of the world.

“You’re just talking about speculation, I don’t know anything about what you’re talking about and that’s the honest truth.”

Bolt, who retired from track and field last year, has been training with the Mariners for several months, and scored two goals in a trial match 10 days ago in his first start.

Mulvey, who said several weeks ago that it might take until January to determine if Bolt can make it in professional football, added that the former sprinter was not on his radar for now.

“We’re going to go back, have some dinner, have a little look at the game that’s on ... then get on a plane tomorrow, go home and start preparing for Melbourne City next week,” he said. “That’s the plan.”