Nix coach: Victory job rumours not a distraction
Off-contract Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay has pointed to Sunday’s impressive 3-1 win over Perth Glory as evidence that his uncertain future with the club is not becoming a distraction as speculation over a potential move to Melbourne Victory intensifies.
The Victory are on the hunt for a new coach after unceremoniously sacking the underperforming Grant Brebner in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s humiliating 7-0 loss to crosstown rivals Melbourne City.
Talay’s name has been frequently mentioned by Australian publications the
Age and Sydney Morning Herald as a leading candidate for the vacant role, as has former Glory boss Tony Popovic’s, but Talay said the continued speculation was not becoming a distraction for the Phoenix as his team fights to keep its season alive.
‘‘It’s not a distraction. If it was a distraction it would’ve distracted tonight’s result. I’m focused. I know what my job is and I’ll be doing my job to the best of my ability for every day that I’m here,’’ Talay said.
The former Sydney FC assistant was first offered the job at Victory last year after a stunning debut season as a head coach saw him catch the eye of one of Australia’s biggest clubs, but Talay elected to see out the final year of his contract with the Phoenix, which is due to expire at the end of this season.
He did his best to distance
himself from the latest reports when quizzed in the post-match press conference on Sunday, commenting that ‘‘nothing has been discussed’’ with Victory and reiterating his focus was on finishing the season with the Phoenix before making any decisions on his coaching future.
‘‘At the moment the focus is on Wellington Phoenix and finishing the season the best that we can.
‘‘I’m currently here and what has happened there has happened there. I need to focus on what I need to focus on here.’’
Talay revealed last month that he had been offered a contract extension by the Phoenix but indicated that he was in no rush to sign it.
He hinted on Sunday that negotiations with chairman Rob Morrison had progressed in recent weeks but he stopped short of giving supporters assurances that he would be back at the helm for a third season.
‘‘At this stage I’m contracted at Wellington Phoenix and I’ve said this before, my thought process is on us making the top six this season,’’ Talay said.
Sunday’s win over the Glory moved the Phoenix to within four points of the top six ahead of a crucial clash against former coach Mark Rudan’s Western United in Tasmania on Thursday.
Western United sit directly above the Phoenix in eighth place. They are two points ahead but also have two games in hand.