Some good points Carlind. I also don't think it's a given that Des will be a success as AWs coach. He had a few factors that favoured him with that U20 WC side a few years back.
Notably a really good buildup by NZ Football standards, with basically the whole starting 11 coming from 2 Handy Prem sides - Eastern Suburbs & Weenix (or Nix senior side). Many of the players had known & played with each other for many years. Combinations were strong, and through that Handy Prem summer in the lead up to the WC in Poland there were U20 squad camps, plus Buckingham regularly visited the Handy Prem clubs in person. He had a lot of on grass time with the players.
Plus it may just turn out that many of those players were a virtual one off 'golden generation' of talent by NZ standards. Time will tell. But as yet doesn't appear like there is a Singh or Cacace in next year's U20 team. Surman a defender maybe their best player.
FYI - Des's Mumbai City are travelling well this season in the ISL (after going backward's in his first season). Currently 2nd, a point behind Hyderabad with a game in hand on the leaders.
As an aside Cameron Knowles would have a stronger case than Simon Elliott. Not sure what badges Knowles has but he's still coaching in the US at a reasonable level. Now with Minny United II in MLS Next Pro. Finished 5th in Western Division this year. Prior to that he had 3 seasons coaching Portland Timbers II in the USL. He's also been an Assistant Coach with Timbers MLS side
https://us.soccerway.com/coaches/cameron-knowles/30119/
Notably a really good buildup by NZ Football standards, with basically the whole starting 11 coming from 2 Handy Prem sides - Eastern Suburbs & Weenix (or Nix senior side). Many of the players had known & played with each other for many years. Combinations were strong, and through that Handy Prem summer in the lead up to the WC in Poland there were U20 squad camps, plus Buckingham regularly visited the Handy Prem clubs in person. He had a lot of on grass time with the players.
Plus it may just turn out that many of those players were a virtual one off 'golden generation' of talent by NZ standards. Time will tell. But as yet doesn't appear like there is a Singh or Cacace in next year's U20 team. Surman a defender maybe their best player.
FYI - Des's Mumbai City are travelling well this season in the ISL (after going backward's in his first season). Currently 2nd, a point behind Hyderabad with a game in hand on the leaders.
As an aside Cameron Knowles would have a stronger case than Simon Elliott. Not sure what badges Knowles has but he's still coaching in the US at a reasonable level. Now with Minny United II in MLS Next Pro. Finished 5th in Western Division this year. Prior to that he had 3 seasons coaching Portland Timbers II in the USL. He's also been an Assistant Coach with Timbers MLS side
https://us.soccerway.com/coaches/cameron-knowles/30119/