Phoenix’s Ridenton weighing his future

WELLINGTON: Matthew Ridenton is hugely thankful for his surge in ALeague minutes this season but even he is wavering about staying at the coachless Wellington Phoenix.

Tireless defensive midfielder Ridenton is set to make his 26th appearance of a disappointing campaign that finishes against Melbourne City in Auckland tomorrow. Victory will give the Phoenix a chance of avoiding the wooden spoon.

Ridenton is more interested in how the struggling Kiwi club is shaping up next season; most pressingly, whether a new head coach will be unveiled soon.

Darije Kalezic exited in ignominious fashion six weeks ago, replaced by Chris Greenacre on an interim basis.

Ridenton says the fact the club has not found a fulltime replacement mirrors one of the problems of a year ago. Kalezic’s appointment came long after Ernie Merrick’s departure.

With only a handful of players signed for 201819, it leaves 22yearold Ridenton and a host of teammates in limbo.

‘‘Obviously I’m keen to stay at the Phoenix. It’s been good for my development. But you have to look elsewhere in case something doesn’t come up,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s up the club now. They’ve got to make a decision on a lot of players. The same thing happened last year, and it’s hard.

‘‘They maybe signed too many players and the new coach came in and might not have had the power over the new signings that he wanted.’’

Ridenton has made enormous strides, achieving his target of not being considered only when injury struck others.

‘‘Obviously, it’s been disappointing for the team but that was one of my goals this year, to get into the starting 11 and get a consistent run of games.

‘‘For my development, it’s been good this year.’’

The Phoenix lost both previous matches to City this season, 21 and 10. It is third and gearing up for a finals campaign but Ridenton believes it can be rattled if the Phoenix shows the same intensity as in last week’s 21 loss to Melbourne Victory. — NZN