Aurelio Vidmar says it is a 'privilege and a great honour' to be chosen as Adelaide United's new full-time coach.

Vidmar, who has been the club's interim coach since the resignation of John Kosmina, has signed a two-year deal with the club.

"It's a privilege and a great honour to be coaching this great club and I look forward to sinking my teeth into the work that is ahead of us," Vidmar said.

"I am really looking forward to working with the calibre of players that we have in the squad as the future of the club looks bright."

The club said in a press release that there was an 'initial field of 40 applicants' for the job, but CEO Sam Ciccarello said that Vidmar had done enough to be given the chance to take Adelaide forward.

"Obviously we have had the opportunity to scrutinise and assess Aurelio for the past three years, so the evidence is there in his contribution in Adelaide United being the most successful Hyundai A-League club in Australia," said Ciccarello.

"Looking towards the future of the Hyundai A-league, Aurelio has got all of the characteristics and qualities that we want and believe is required to be successful as a modern-day coach."

Adelaide United Chairman Dario Fontanarosa also paid tribute to 40-year-old Vidmar.

"Aurelio has had a great learning experience from another former Socceroo captain in John Kosmina and with his appointment we're looking forward to Aurelio's era as the head coach of Adelaide United Football Club," Fontanarosa said.

"I am confident and know he will bring success to the club given the great talent that he has already shown both as a player and in his previous supporting role in helping to nurture and develop the younger players at the club."

"Furthermore, Aurelio has shown what a natural leader and great communicator he is, which together with his football knowledge and experience, makes him a wonderful choice as our new coach."

Former Victorian State coach Phil Stubbins has been named as Vidmar's assistant.

In other news the Central Coast Mariners will make their second appearance at the Philips Lighting Soccer 7’s tournament in Hong Kong later this month.

Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna will take a squad of ten Mariners players for the three days of 7’s competition at Hong Kong FC Stadium, starting on Friday, 25 May.

The Mariners, one of sixteen competing teams, have been drawn in Group D alongside English Premier League challengers Aston Villa, tournament hosts and Hong Kong Premier Division side Hong Kong FC, and City University of Hong Kong – the winners of the 2006/07 Hong Kong Universities Football League.

Other competing teams include European heavyweights Arsenal (England), Tottenham Hotspur (England), Celtic (Scotland) and PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands), as well as giant South African club Kaizer Chiefs and AFC Champions League participants Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan.

SBS