Imports from last season unwanted

WELLINGTON: New Wellington Phoenix coach Mark Rudan has slammed the door on last season’s import players, declaring they were not up to ALeague standard and will not be back.

In a bold first statement since being appointed two weeks ago, Rudan says he will search far and wide for greater quality in his mix of visa players.

Italian defender Marco Rossi and Serbian midfielder Matija Ljujic had already been released by the club after last season’s ninthplaced finish.

Serbian striker Andrija Kaluderovic, who topscored with nine goals, and Croatian midfielder Goran Paracki have also been farewelled.

‘‘The visa players didn’t really impress me. We need to improve — they weren’t standouts,’’ Rudan said.

Rudan is hopeful Fijian international Roy Krishna will be granted New Zealand citizenship before the season begins in October, allowing him to choose up to the full complement of five new visa players.

‘‘I don’t have to use all of them. They’ve got to be a lot better than what I believe the best local players are in each position.’’

Eleven players had been retained from last season before former Sydney United coach Rudan agreed to terms with the ALeague struggler.

He must recruit at least 10 more and is somewhat pleased to have a cavernous midfield hole to impose his style after the departure of New Zealand representatives Michael McGlinchey and Matt Ridenton.

‘‘Central corridor — that area of the park is the spine that I want to improve,’’ he said.

Rudan will also seek an experienced goalkeeper, believing young Kiwi stoppers Ollie Sail and Keegan Smith are not yet up to ALeague level. He introduced a Kiwi flavour yesterday by signing former All Whites goalkeeping coach Paul Gothard to the same role at the Phoenix. — AAP