Stajcic was being hailed as one of the coaches of the 2020-21 season after guiding the Mariners to a third-placed finish following three-straight wooden spoon campaigns.

The Mariners' season came to an end on Saturday when 10-man Macarthur FC claimed a 2-0 elimination final win at Central Coast Stadium.

Despite announcing the re-signing of defender Kye Rowles on Wednesday, several of Stajcic's squad are being earmarked for moves away from Gosford.

Wonderkid Alou Kuol has already confirmed a move to German Bundesliga team VfB Stuttgart while Jack Clisby has been heavily linked with Perth Glory.

Newly-capped Socceroos defender Ruon Tongyik is also understood to be on the radar of several clubs with the cash-strapped Mariners still searching for a new owner after Mike Charlesworth put the club's licence up for sale last year.

Stajcic became the Mariners' sixth new manager in as many years in 2019 after the sacking of Mike Mulvey, taking on the job shortly after his controversial sacking as coach of the Matildas in January of that year.

The reason for Stajcic's decision is unknown at this stage but A-League rivals Western United and Newcastle are both looking for new coaches following the departures of Mark Rudan and Craig Deans respectively.

Stajcic won 19 matches in 59 games at the helm of the Mariners, including 12 in the season just completed.

Australian Associated Press