Ernie Merrick - former Phoenix manager

v2.0

Ask Nellie or Boxall

I've asked some of my Portland friends on twitter, will post their responses.

Saw this article just before, chances of picking up a bargain?

"The League Managers' Association has described the number of sackings in football this season as "embarrassing"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21857347

Apparently a few ex EPL managers have applied. 

 Roy Keane or Brian Robson provided they are going to be player/managers...!

Eketahuna Promo League?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/phoenix/8452136/Top-quality-applicants-jostle-for-Phoenix-job

The Wellington Phoenix have attracted up to 15 "high quality" applicants to replace head coach Ricki Herbert, including some with experience in the English Premier League, and in Spain and Italy.

Phoenix general manager David Dome has been overwhelmed by interest in the job, with close to 300 names having come across his desk and still two days remaining before the deadline for applications.

He said yesterday 75 per cent of applicants could be discounted immediately but there were 10 to 15 "of the highest quality" and another 30 to 40 below that who could be worth talking to, in the wake of Herbert's resignation last month.

Most of the heavy hitters were European, with experience in the English Premier League and second-tier Championship, Spain's top two divisions, and Italy. "There's a really good buzz right now," Dome enthused about the coaching interest, which he attributed in part to the Del Piero effect.

"We were hopeful of attracting some decent names but the profile of the A-League has skyrocketed with the likes of Del Piero, [Emile] Heskey and [Shinji] Ono playing this season, and we've been pleasantly surprised by some of the well-known names in coaching coming in."

The Phoenix are looking for a charismatic coach to take them to another level and implement a new brand of possession-based football.

That won't come cheaply, however, and Dome knows the club's owners may have to push the boat out if they are to reel in one of these big names.

"We do have a limit here. The owners are aware of what may be required to get the best coach but we're not going to mortgage the future of the club.

"There are other factors, such as the Wellington lifestyle and the growth of the A-League, which we will rely on because we simply can't offer the money these top guys could get in Europe or Asia."

Applications close tomorrow with a shortlist to be established and interviews taking place during April. The job won't simply go to the biggest name - the fit needs to be right for the club's vision and if that's a lesser name, so be it.

They will take independent advice from "experts" to ensure they find the right man.

Given the widespread interest, the chances of a New Zealand coach being appointed are essentially non-existent, though Dome said they "hadn't discounted that".

Herbert resigned last month after a torrid run of results, during his sixth season in charge. Touted as potential title contenders this season, the Phoenix need at least a draw in their final match, against Melbourne Victory on March 31, to have any chance of avoiding the wooden spoon.

Under interim coach Chris Greenacre, Herbert's former assistant, they have shown signs of a late revival, winning two of four matches and lifting the level of performance. Greenacre has suggested he might apply for the head coaching role, though an assistant role is the more likely scenario.

Those thought to be interested in the top job include former Real Madrid player and Mexico coach Hugo Sanchez, Central Coast Mariners assistant Phil Moss, former Melbourne Victory coach Ernie Merrick, and Wellington-born former All White Duncan Oughton, an assistant with the Columbus Crew in America's Major League Soccer. Fairfax NZ

Apparently we have approached Ange with a big offer to lure him away from Victory. Just trust me.

I think nufc_nz is less liked than even me

Don't think so, sunny Jim.

Chav

Premier league experience could mean Phil Brown, Peter Reid, Ian Dowie and Steve Kean.

Would we want any of those?

Only meme knows when meme has run it's course.

Arsene Out.

15 High quality applicants, eh.

Nice to have a big selection to work through. In some ways that puts more pressure on the club to get the decision right. 

If there was only 1 or 2 decent applicants and the final choice turned out to be a crock then they could at least say didn't have much to choose from.

yep, this is the one time the Welnix guys should keep quiet about who and want they have to choose from.

I don't know. I kind of like the positive buzz that this is giving the Phoenix at the moment (i.e. that people want to come here). Nice break from the doom and gloom of the rest of the season. It's not like they've revealed any real specifics, just that there are high quality people interested.

Who are your favourites  doloras?

Me. Doloras is soooooo lovely !

wonder if Coveny or Sean Douglas have applied

May seem irrelevant to Welnix PR machine regarding the announcments, but when Australia appointed its previous coach after Guus Hiddink, they openly said that it is going to be (the final round) between Bruno Metsu and Pim Verbeek. After Pim's contract ended they were more coy and did not try to talk up the last-minute applications. Theappointment of Holger Osieck was announced once the deal was done, so we'll never know who missed out.

must be me...Ive never had an argument with her