THE Mariners will activate a succession plan that Graham Arnold helped to design when the former Socceroos boss signs a contract this weekend to coach in J-League side Vegalta Sendai.

Arnold flies to Japan with the aim of completing advanced negotiations, having broken the news to his Mariners squad yesterday afternoon that he intended to depart three since taking over.

Assistant coach Phil Moss will succeed him assuming that Arnold agrees terms with Vegalta Sendai, having been groomed to take the top job since Arnold was first approached by Sydney FC last year.

The Daily Telegraph understands that Moss was interviewed then, with Arnold expected at the time to join Sydney, and a formal succession plan was instituted once he decided to stay with the Mariners.

Since he joined the club in 2010 Arnold has had a clause in his contract allowing him to talk to, and be released to join, top-line overseas clubs, though the Mariners were at pains to emphasise on Wednesday that he will travel with their blessing.

Sendai is a city which was ravaged by the 2011 tsunami which also engulfed Vegalta Sendai's boutique Yurtec Stadium.

Japanese sources revealed Arnold won the lucrative coaching gig after the club was chasing Italy's former Serie A Cesena and Cagliari coach Massimo Ficcadenti.

Sources also revealed Vegalta Sendai may consider having their preseason on the Central Coast in February given the side usually travels to southern Japan before the start of each season.

Arnold's success since he left the Socceroos set-up and returned to club football has led to an inevitable increased profile, especially across Asia after his side reached the knock-out stages of this year's Asian Champions League campaign with a relatively tiny budget.

News_Image_File: Graham Arnold is set to bid farewell to the Mariners.

After knocking back Sydney at the 11th hour he was also linked heavily with a move to China and to English side Sheffield United in the off-season, and those close to him have been aware for some time of his desire to test himself at a higher level.

Mariners general manager Peter Turnbull confirmed that Moss will be promoted if Arnold resigns.

"The success of our club has been based on its stability, pure and simple," he said.

"In the past 10 years we've had two chairmen, two CEOs and two coaches. No matter who the coach is or the players are, from the beginning everyone has known what the club has stood for and what it means to the community.

News_Rich_Media: Brisbane Roar teenager Kwame Yeboah made an immediate impact coming off the bench against the Central Coast Mariners, lashing home the winner with his first touch of the game.

"The success of our club over the past three seasons under Graham Arnold and his staff always meant he would receive interest from rival clubs," Turnbull said.

"As such, we have been planning for the past 18 months for Phil (Moss) to take on the role of head coach of the club upon Graham's departure. Of course, Graham has been helping prepare Phil for the position."

"We will know for certain by no later than Sunday whether or not Graham has finalised a deal in Asia, and will notify our members, fans, and media of any updates as soon as possible."

Youth coach Patrick Zwaanswijk, who only retired at the end of last season, is a contender to become Moss's assistant coach.