Ernie Merrick - former Phoenix manager

Habidly Hoodilly

But think of all the Asterix references we could make.

Pundemonium city (FC)!

Punt!!!

So I managed to track down Lee Norfolk's mum Gloria on the internet...

"Yes I know Lee - he's my son! He started playing at 4 years old in Wellington, New Zealand and has always loved the game. His Dad Paul is a full badge English coach and an 'A' licensed American coach and has coached all over the world - so it's no surprise he loves the game. Lee still plays semi-professional and is also coaching. He has a career with the Suffolk Constabulary in the UK".

Pride of Anglia 

So Lee is actually part of a Norfolk family coaching dynasty. Maybe him and his Dad could form a coaching Dream Team?

#norfolk4nix

.

My God-Parents!  Lee is the reason I started following Ipswich.  Count me fully onboard the #norfolk4nix bus. 

Terminator_X, your campaign seems to have the momentum of a runaway freight train.  Why [is your campaign for Lee Norfolk] so popular?

 Has his familyy applied that restraining order yet T.X LOL

So, any rumours doing the rounds yet in Welly about the new coaching options?

No-one seems to rate the kiwi options.

Everyone is wary of overseas coaches in the A-League.

Are we heading for an aussie coach then?

Won't be a Kiwi coach. Hard to see them also risking an overseas coach either who doesn't know A league landscape, and isn't networked for Oz talent recruitment. Doing that would mean a transition year for the foreign coach to settle etc. My money's on a current Oz youth team coach, or current A league assistant coach.  Early days for interim coach Alistair Edwards at Perth Glory, as they are second bottom, but interesting the way's he's eased into the role quickly. Signed a 15 yo the other day and stuck him on the bench. My point being guys like Edwards know the comp inside out, and the players beneath the current crop. The quality of our new yet to be signed Oz players is critical to our success to mould with Kiwi talent, especially in midfield, where we are not competitive anymore. No brainer for me. Be interesting to see whose put their handsup from Oz. Would be happy with Okon.

Has anyone mentioned Rini Coolen yet? A-League commentators threw that one out there on the weekend

The strongest rumour is Lee Norfolk, without a doubt.

#norfolk4nix

Suggested Stubbins earlier, and sounds like he has left asia for personal reasons...

I bet you like telling kids that Santa dosn't exist, and the Tooth Fairy?

Watch it, that's "Kiwi EPL Legend" Lee Norfolk you're talking about.

You'll be laughing on the other side of your face when he is appointed. I can't say any more about the details due to commercial sensitivity, confidentiality clauses, contract negotiations, variability of truthiness  etc

#norfolk4nix

Any one know when the post job will be advertised?

Media reports said that the selection committee will be Noah, Choate and two board members from Welnix. Plus they will use two football recruitment consultants...one from Oz the other from UK. Pleased to hear about the use of consultants.....because with due respect to Noah and Choatey they don't have a huge recent experiance of the A-league and the Board guys admit to knowing SFA. Was Choatey assistant coach to Ricki in year one??? or am I thinking of someone else?

I guess Okon would be the choice that would cause the least angst on these forums. I too would prefer an Aussie. The A-league is kind of unique in that its played in summer and there is a shiite load of very long air travel involved. European coaches could take a while to adjust to that. Plus with only 1 import slot to fill whoever comes in will have to refresh the roster from within NZ/OZ. An Oz coach would have better player contacts. Someone suggested we look in the lower divisions in England/Scotland. Would be a big mistake IMO. the whole summer/winter, hard/soft grounds, style of play etc would be a big risk.

I would be happy with an Okon or there might be someone else coming through the ranks in Australia who would fit the bill. Of all the second hand A-League head coaches Kosmina would be the least offensive to me. Tough character...he would sort things out fairly quickly plus he has had recent success and has a reasonable record of recruiting OK players.

The other unknown factor is the demands of a possible coach. How much can we pay and how much is in the budget for support staff. It is highly likely that any coach will want to chose their own assistant and other support crew. Part of the choice might come down to how attractive our package is.

 You should check the Podcast.  We have a chat with Domey who comments on much of the above.  Probably out tomorrow.

Thanks for that...will check it out

Why is Okon getting love?

The only ones that appear to have made noise is Trani and Ramon howdoyousayhisspainishlastname

Getafix

Agree with all. Will be more than surprised if its not an Oz coach with instant A League knowledge and accessibility to Oz players. Have a real close look at which current A league assistant coach may have a reason to make the break, and take on the big role here. 

It was Stu Jacobs.

I'm not so convinced about this current A League assistant. Despite this talk of intimate knowledge of Aussie youth players, I think that is limited because the very best [youth players] will be retained by their current clubs anyway and what are we talking about 3 players maybe? If you're looking at an assistant, take Greenie [despite him saying he wasn't ready]. If he makes a good fist of it  for the rest of the season, he'd be as qualified as RH was when the Nix started up. I'd be looking for an experienced manager from somewhere that speaks England in some fashion. A Guus Hiddink type who has history of getting teams to perform allbeit at a lower level than Guus.

SAF will need somewhere to retire.....

 I think that with a number of players coming off contract the new coach will have a (partially) new team to bed in, plus some stalwarts.

I know that a lot of people have said that Hernandez is a good signing for any coach, I still would like to know who made that signing.  I'm still not convinced that was a great move when they knew we were about to sack the coach, especially considering it's not an absolute given that he is in great nick

You're dead right JD. Clearly Nix management should've taken the time to convince and reassure you before proceeding with the signing. Would you prefer a milo or bovril with that?

Did I miss something? I thought Ricki resigned? Didn't Rob and GM both come out and say Ricki would be coach next season?

Of course signing a player with a proven A League record, and who looked in better shape than I've ever seen him in a recent pic posted on here, was a ridculous idea. Obviously no other potential coach would want a quality player like that anywhere near our squad.

 New coach by the end of April

Advertised next week

Get your CV's together !!!

With due respect, you are being a conspiracy buff JD