All Whites coaches in Phoenix mix
The Wellington Phoenix are open to hiring a coach from within the All Whites setup with Fritz Schmid and Des Buckingham looming as possible candidates to fill the vacant role.
Buckingham previously worked as co-coach alongside Chris Greenacre when Ernie Merrick departed eight games into the 2016-17 A-League season, but he missed out the job for the following campaign, with Darije Kalezic preferred instead.
Crucially, both Englishman Buckingham and Swiss Schmid have a Pro Licence, the required qualification for nonAustralians to coach in the A-League. Aiding the national team coaches’ cases was Football Federation Australia’s decision, made last Friday, to stop the A-League for international windows next season, meaning the coaches would not miss any Phoenix games while away with the All Whites.
Phoenix general manager David Dome refused to comment on specific candidates but did not rule out hiring a coach from within the national setup. The Phoenix have already strengthened their ties with New Zealand Football, with Greenacre appointed under-20 assistant and Paul Temple under-17 assistant.
‘‘We are certainly open to the head All Whites coach being with the Phoenix in a joint role but it would have to be a consulted process,’’ Dome said.
‘‘It is our strong desire that the new head coach of the Wellington Phoenix has a good understanding of Australian and New Zealand football, and ideally A-League football.
‘‘I think with the right person and the right setup a head coach of both organisations could work but again it would need to be a well though out plan, who was going to pay for what.’’
Ricki Herbert took on the dual role from 2007-2013 when both the national team and Phoenix enjoyed their most successful periods.
The role for Schmid or Buckingham would be along similar lines.