Phoenix set to name coach

The Wellington Phoenix’s search for a new head coach is set to end today.

The A-League club has effectively been without a head coach for 90 days since Darije Kalezic told his players on March 1 he would not be taking them for the 2018-19 season, at which point the club could officially start looking for new head coaches. The Dutchman’s departurewas confirmed on March 8.

The club said last night it would be making a ‘‘significant announcement’’ at midday today at Westpac Stadium. This was believed to be about the coaching situation at the club, but may extend further than that.

Chris Greenacre took the side for the remainder of the season on an interim basis – his third such time doing so – after Kalezic left, but did not have the required pro licence to be considered for the job on a permanent basis.

Former A-League coaches said to be in the running were ex-Mariners coach Paul Okon and former Glory boss Kenny Lowe, who both left those clubs near, or at, the end of the 2017-18 season.

Options in New Zealand have been considered, with former New Zealand Football technical director Rob Sherman understood to have had contact with the club.

Current NZF technical director Andreas Heraf was also understood to have been in touch with the Phoenix with a proposal to install All Whites head coach Fritz Schmid and assistant coach Des Buckingham – who was co-coach of the club after Ernie Merrick resigned early in the 2016-17 season – into coaching roles at the club. Both have pro licences.

One murmuring out of left field was former Phoenix assistant and Mariners head of youth football Stu Jacobs after he left Central League club Wellington Olympic last week. It is unknown whether he has a pro licence or not.