Who’s next for the All Whites?
Anthony Hudson is gone, so who might replace him as All Whites coach?
Here are five names to consider:
GOWITH CONTINUITY - DARRENBAZELEY
He was an assistant manager to Anthony Hudson, and led the New Zealand under-20 and under-17 teams to the round of 16 in age group World Cup campaigns. READ MORE: * Danny Hay should take over from Hudson, NZ legend says * Anthony Hudson not staying on as All Whites coach * Hudson v Herbert: All Whites results Bazeley would be a safe bet to continue the work of Hudson. The football wouldn’t be all that pretty, with his teams often playing a long-ball style, but his work has been effective.
Neil Emblen would be another to continue along the same path, but is said to have little interest in taking on the big job.
GOWITH LOCAL SUCCESS - RAMONTRIBULIETX
A Spaniard who already calls New Zealand home and has led Auckland City to years and years of success, Tribulietx would be an intriguing choice.
His record in New Zealand speaks for itself. Auckland have qualified for the Club World Cup seven times under his tutelage, and won the national league five times. When Auckland have taken on bigger sides at the Club World Cup, they’ve gone better than anyone could have imagined. Could a step up to international management be the next step?
THE FORMERPLAYER - DANNYHAY
A former All Whites captain with 31 caps to his name, and time playing in the Premier League on his resume, Hay would be the pick of the former players. His experience is limited at senior level. He’s only managed five games at that level of the game, and that was in the past month, but his work with the New Zealand under-17s has been promising.
Appointed in 2015, Hay led the side into the round of 16 at the World Cup in Chile, eventually going down to
Brazil. They couldn’t escape their group this year, but the style of passing football they play has people excited for the future.
THEDARKHORSE - JOSE FIGUEIRA
He was manager of the New Zealand under-17 team, until being turfed out in 2015 in favour of Danny Hay. It’s believed Anthony Hudson was involved in that decision.
Figueira was keen to play proper football with the Kiwi kids. Keep the ball on the ground and try to outplay your opponents. Since then he’s moved to Team Wellington, and built a fine squad and won back-to-back ISPS Handa Premiership titles. Figueira would very much be an appointment in the Tribulietx mould, but with some experience in the New Zealand Football system. Whether he wants to return to that is another question.
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX - HARRY REDKNAPP
A mentor of Anthony Hudson, Harry Redknapp has just come onto the market and recently opined that he may never manage a football team again. Don’t give up so fast, Harry.
There are a large number of high profile names seeking employment at the minute.
Sam Allardyce, Tony Pulis, Carlo Ancelotti, Ronald Koeman, Juande Ramos, and so on and so forth, they’re all available, but at quite a price.
NZ Football probably couldn’t afford Redknapp. And whether he would want to move to New Zealand for a semiretirement, or what Hudson’s review of the organisation is, would be another question.
But, boy, Redknapp would be quite the statement signing.