Im going to take some convincing, dont understand the idea the young players might need a cuddle/shoulder hug. The ones who have been with Des for example will have been exposed to top quality player management and have also spent their international careers at age group level being involved in international level setups.
These arent fragile snowflakes, they have had to fight and compete to get to where they are, either at club, school, rep and international level.
Trying to think of any other international teams who have among their playing staff someone who is there as a shoulder to lean on or a team culture cheerleader. Cant think of any.
Sorry seems a very strange appointment to me and the reason people are putting forward seems really weak to me within the context of who the players are, the NZ psyche and what happens in world football.
What is needed is world class coaching sessions that fit the difficult time constraints of international football, that will have a far far bigger impact on players than a mentor etc. Players all want challenging, quality, relevant sessions more than anything else.
Not convinced by the arguments at all.