1. Would Kurto & Burgess have signed for the Nix if not for Rudan? Highly unlikely
2. Was Kurto ever going to stay in Wellington? Not if Mrs Kurto had her way
3. Would Williams have come to the Nix, if again not for Rudan? See 1.
Signing Aussie players on one year deals (esp if they do well) is always a risk, because most of them would rather naturally live back in their home country.
Of course if Rudan takes Krishna that really is poaching, and yes unleash the fury. But apparently WU is the one team we have heard, NZ's favourite Fijian has definitely turned down.
Also need to put some faith in Talay, being able to recruit/lure in a gem or two.
1. Why would a first time professional coach, with no prior relationship with the players, have sway over a player in Europe or a player wanting to reignite his pro career?
2. Would Kurto be more likely to stay with the 'Nix if the coach he has formed a relationship with over the season wasn't moving to a rival club? Or, if he was wanting to leave then moving back to Europe could have been more likely if not for current manager moving to a rival club?
3. Again, see 1.
All 3 players were brought to the club on 1 year contracts. They were all brought to the club by Rudan.
When he first arrived he looked at the keeper situation, decided Sail, Smith not up to it. Couldn’t sign Marinovic or Gleeson.
From memory he had some contacts in Poland?? Found Kurto and Kopa as well. Both Rudan signings.
Burgess definitely a Rudan signing plucked from NSW NPL, where Rudan had obviously coached for a few years.
Williams well I guess he was looking to rejoin the A League. But from memory if was again Rudan who talked him into joining the Nix along with Nichols. We're building a project here blah blah. I doubt he would have come to Wellington if not for Rudan. Maybe CCM or the Roar. Anyway he may stay if Ufuk can talk him round.
The stories are that Kurto was on his way out no matter what. Wellington is a cool little city. But Melbourne is a very cool big city. Many overseas players & their partners would find the Capital a bit boring after a few months. I’d wager Mrs Kurto was in that camp. Then she visited Victoria, and said to Filip I like it here in Polish. Look they would probably have gone back to Europe if not for WU/Rudan, but really so what they would have left anyway.
It’s the UK boys and their whanau who tend to lap up Welly a bit more. Ifill, Greenacre and now it seems Taylor.