Quick off the Mark:
Fighting talk came from the mouth of Mark Rudan after he was unveiled as the new Wellington Phoenix coach. The 42-year-old Australian didn’t mince his words when fronting a press conference yesterday, saying the club needed change if it was to start winning again.
‘‘I’ve kept a keen eye on clubs like this and it’s one that needs to change in a lot of areas, and there will be changes. Not just the players and staff, but all stakeholders involved will understand exactly where we’re headed on and off the park.
‘‘There will be certain nonnegotiables along the way, but at the same time it’s not a dictatorship. I want to see a change in this football club, from you guys sitting here to the fans to everybody externally, how they view the club, what they stand for.’’
It will be the former Sydney FC captain’s first taste of A-League management, replacing Darije Kalezic, who did not see out a miserable 2017-18 season in which the team only just avoided the wooden spoon.
Rudan was aware of the challenge he faces, but said that made the job even more enticing.
‘‘It’s a challenge. I love a challenge, I always have throughout my playing and coaching career.’’
Most of Rudan’s coaching experience was across four-and-a-bit seasons with Sydney United in the second tier of Australian football, where he won two National Premier League championships.
His 17-year professional playing career ended in 2010 after more than 350 games in Australia, Germany, China, Japan, Malaysia and Switzerland.
His initial task will be to add to the 11 players the club currently has on its books. New Zealand players will be the initial priority, with Rudan saying they were looking closely at two Kiwis already.
He said he had talked to assistant coach Chris Greenacre, but did not confirm if he would be staying at the club.
Louis Fenton might also not be returning. He was released before last season, but the club said at the time he would have a ‘‘new one-year contract in place from September 2018’’.
‘‘I only heard about Louis this morning, so there’s not much more to say about that, that’s one we have to look into more,’’ Rudan said.
He said whoever ended up at the club would have to be willing to give everything to make it successful.
‘‘Everyone is on notice. When we have a full squad of players they’ll be on notice. My staff will be on notice every day. There is no day off as far as I’m concerned. That’s how I work as a coach and I expect the same from my staff. I’m expecting changes to be made. Habits are going to change.
‘‘Don’t get me wrong, I want them to enjoy coming to work as well, it’s not a dictatorship, we’re going to have fun along the way as well, but we need to change behaviours.’’
‘‘Everyone is on notice. When we have a full squad of players they’ll be on notice. My staff will be on notice every day. There is no day off as far as I’m concerned.
New Phoenix coach Mark Rudan