Rudan pleads to supporters to get behind Phoenix
Outgoing Wellington Phoenix coach Mark Rudan is unsure of the reception he will get when he walks out on to Westpac Stadium tomorrow night, but he has made an emotional plea for spectators to show support for the team regardless of what they make of his decision to leave.
The reaction from Phoenix supporters was mixed when his well speculated departure was confirmed late last week, but the anger has faded substantially in the wake of his apologetic press conference on Wednesday, where he stressed his family struggles were the catalyst for his decision to quit halfway through a two-year deal.
Rudan apologised to the supporters numerous times throughout the 40-minute press conference and said he understood why they would be upset, particularly as he is likely to be coaching a rival A-League club next season.
But while he remained unsure what response he will get when he walks through the tunnel, past Yellow Fever and makes his way to the bench for a pivotal match against Melbourne City, Rudan implored fans to rally behind the players in what could be their final appearance at Westpac Stadium this season.
‘‘I expect and I understand disappointment with the people. I get it. They’re hurt,’’ Rudan said. ‘‘But all I can say is I’m sorry and I’m extremely apologetic about that and if they feel that or sense that then I’ll take that.
‘‘I just hope that in the last regular season game that they can come out and support the players.
‘‘It’s really important. I’m saying this on behalf of my players and the football club, their support has been fantastic and we really need them to come out. Do what you need to do with me, that’s OK, but please be behind the players. None of this has been their fault.
‘‘They’ve got every right to say what they want, they pay their hard earned [money] and they are supporters of this football club, and I will take it on the chin . . . you can have a crack at me no dramas but please be supportive of the players, they deserve it and we need it because it’s a big game against Melbourne City. It’s huge.’’
The Phoenix have looked demoralised in their past two matches and there is no escaping the fact that Rudan’s departure has likely contributed to the back-toback defeats and could see them miss out on hosting a playoff.
But when it was put to him this week that if the Phoenix fail to fire against sixth-place City then the timing of his announcement could be only be seen as jeopardising the campaign, Rudan questioned when the right time would have been and made the startling revelation that he offered to resign immediately if the club thought his ongoing presence would hinder their progress.
‘‘It’s why I offered to resign after the Brisbane game. I told the playing group and I told [football operations manager] Gilly [Shaun Gill] that I’m not going to stand in the way of this playing group or club, no chance,’’ he said.
‘‘Too much good work and hard work has been done so I said if it’s better without me then so be it. It won’t change anything because I love the players and I believe in them and I believe we can do something fantastic and something great.
‘‘But I did tell the club that I’m not standing in their way if it became a problem or an issue for me to continue because of all this.’’
A big question mark remains at right wing-back ahead of Sunday’s game after Justin Gulley failed to convince against Brisbane last week, with Louis Fenton’s season-ending injury highlighting just how valuable he was.
But a rusty performance was understandable seeing as Gulley had just returned from an injury and was playing his first A-League game in three years. Although time is of the essence, Rudan must persist with Gulley in order to get him up to speed for the playoffs.
Heading into the game level on 37 points, Sunday’s fixture is likely to be a must-win match for either team if they have an hope of overtaking Adelaide, who sit fourth on 38 points.