Interesting article on Wynton Rufer

 

It will be a shame if he leaves NZ and goes off to coach Nth Queensland. Once again Oz stealing our best and brightest.

 

I know that Rufer doesn't get along with the suits in NZFA but it is a real shame that he was never offered a more permanent official role in NZ football. Something like high performance manager.

With his FIFA connections I am sure he could have opened doors for the All Whites.

 

OK he's a born again and supposedly difficult to deal with...but many sportsmen who reach the top are often driven. Sometimes the  admin guys are just afraid of loosing power. New Zealands loss is Australia's gain.

 

Thanks for that loyalgunner - a real interesting article.  Check out the links in the article.

 

It's a pity NZ can't have something like Wyners operating nationwide, and that Rufer and NZF don't work together on this.  It's better than anything NZF offers kids.

 

I understand you're point HardNews - there appears to be bad blood between Rufer and NZF for whatever reason, although I've certainly heard or seen nothing public on this over the years.  If they have differences, it's a pity they can't grow up and get over it.  I wonder if it's to do with Rufer's philosophy that kids need to be introduced to the 'beautiful game' by focusing on ball skills and enjoyment.  If this is the reason, than I'm on Rufer's side.

 

but he was a prat

 

How much better would some of our young attacking players( like Barbarouses and Draper) be if they had one day a week with Rufer, getting individual skills coaching.

 

Same for the Phoenix. We all know how tentative they were in front of goal last season. I used to arrive early to the Phoenix home games. They used to do shooting drills with the attacking players.

 

I was amazed....often only about 30% of the shots were on goal(Daniel and Smeltz the best).

Rickie must know Rufers phone number. Why not get NZ's best ever player to come down once a week and run through shooting skills....what harm would it do?

 

Yep, Shane sure did smoke 'em.  I mean smoke him.

 

Sorry but Rufers ego is his own undoing and why he has never kicked on to the highest levels.

 

The only grudge he should ever have is with the English FA not granting him a work permit for Norwich City. He was doing ok there. Other than the German stint he played in "b" league teams.

 

that 'German stint' qualifies him as having acheived at the highest levels surely

 

on the day I got my visa to head over here saw him in a car at the lights in Queen street/Mayoral drive crossroads...almost dashed over and asked for an autograph...