Talay not going anywhere At a glance
Unlike his predecessor, Ufuk Talay intends to see out his Wellington Phoenix contract.
Talay reiterated his commitment to the Phoenix yesterday despite being linked as a possible replacement for sacked Western Sydney Wanderers coach Markus Babbel.
Talay was name dropped by the Sydney Morning Herald asa contender to replace Babbel, who became the third A-League coach to be sacked this season.
But the first-year coach, who has worked wonders since replacing Mark Rudan, ruled out a return to Australia within the next 18 months, saying he wants to build on foundations he has laid in Wellington.
‘‘I’ve got another year on my contract,’’ Talay said.
‘‘Obviously that was all subject to licensing, that was in the contracts of most our players, but moving forward I’ve got another year on my contract.’’
Talay has re-energised the Phoenix with youthful domestic talent and quality imports.
The club sits fourth on the A-League ladder and looks set for a return to finals football.
‘‘I’ve come in and tried to build a great foundation with young players, a foundation not just for this season but moving forward.
‘‘I think the club is a great club and we’ve got full support of everybody with the board and I appreciate the efforts and energy they have put in to [get us] to where we want to go.
‘‘I’m very happy where I am at this stage and it’s still a long way to go in this season so my focus is to get us to where we want to get to at the end of the season.’’
Smarting from last weekend’s
A-League round 16
Who: Wellington Phoenix v Newcastle Jets
Where and when: Sky Stadium, Wellington; tonight 7.15pm
defeat to Brisbane Roar, the Phoenix will be looking to return to winning ways when they host strugglers Newcastle Jets at Sky Stadium tonight.
The last-placed Jets are without a permanent coach and have not won since round eight, but Talay said they would not be taking them lightly, particularly after their most recent slip-up.
‘‘It’s never good to lose but for me it’s good that the game has come around pretty quick, it’s a shorter week and the preparations have ramped up,’’ Talay said.
‘‘Newcastle are not an easy team, they played in a grand final a couple of years ago and they’ve got some very experienced players and a team doesn’t become a bad team overnight so we need to be very well prepared and go out there and do the job.’’
The Phoenix will be without key midfielder Matti Steinmann, who is serving a one-game suspension after picking up five yellow cards. Despite the German’s unavailability, Talay said he would not rush Alex Rufer (knee injury) back, with new signing Brandon Wilson or Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi to make their starting debut.
Hudson-Wihongi has made four substitute appearances in his inaugural season while Wilson is yet to feature since his arrival from Perth Glory.
After coming off the bench in the second half against the Roar, fit-again forward David Ball is also poised to start against the Jets, with Jaushua Sotirio the most likely player to make way.