The Covert Agent: Mike Mulvey and Arthur Papas favourites for Mariners coaching role

Championship-winning boss Mike Mulvey and coaching prospect Arthur Papas have emerged as favourites for the vacant Central Coast Mariners manager role.

The Covert Agent can reveal it's all but certain one of the duo will get the job replacing Paul Okon after several high-profile candidates withdrew their interest because of financial reasons.

It is understood former Premier League managers Stuart Pearce and Glenn Roeder put their hands up for the role but pulled out because their salary demands could not be met.

Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth conducted the interviews with Pearce and Roeder, and also spoke to former Melbourne City coach Michael Valkanis .

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English-born Mulvey won the 2013-14 A-League double with Brisbane Roar before being sacked shortly into the next season after a poor run of form.

He has spent the last four years in Malaysia, filling a variety of different roles with three clubs, including coach and technical director.

Papas has long been touted as a future A-League manager after impressing as an assistant coach with the Australian under 17's and Newcastle Jets.

He has recently been an assistant coach at Saudi Premier League club Ettifaq FC and has also spent time working in India.