Ernie Merrick - former Phoenix manager

edited - wrong thread

Isn't that called tapping up? Expect a response from Leiston FC's legal dept. One from Danny Hay would be even better.

Trani seems to be the front runner from all the Aussie/NZ 'candidates' for me. Been here before, knows the team and wants the job.

I was thinking Luc Trani would be a serious contender but a few things have crossed my mind since. He's been widely regarded as a very good tactical coach but that's only one box ticked. There are many other aspects a good manager needs. Not saying he doesn't have them but he doesn't have a lot of experience in 'top jobs'. The new owners haven't worked with Trani - if it was still Terry making these decisions I would think it's more likely.

The Trani question is an interesting one. Has he been linked with any other head coaching roles at any point?

To me it seems that most people who have suggested him as a replacement see the fact that he 'knows the culture of the club' to be one of his major selling points. My question is, is that really that big of an advantage?

(a) The owners might deliberately be looking to change the culture a bit. Being too associated with the 'old guard' could actually be a disadvantage. 

(b) Does it even matter that he knows the culture? If Greenacre stays as assistant then that is one box that is well and truly ticked in terms of the coaching team as a whole. 

(c) Does he tick many other boxes? As Topleft has just said, there are many other boxes that need to be ticked.

If I was to hazard a guess I'd say Trani is going to be the backup option. Welnix will do their best to find someone else, and if they can't, they'll call Trani.

Well if we are going to tick by boxes shall we form some list of boxes for ticking to frame our discussion around somewhat?

Tactics

Experience/pedigree

History of youth development?

What sort of boxes do you favor? What are your priorities? 

What are other important boxes? Shall we compile a list Mary Poppins style and send it to Welnix?

A good idea of the type of stuff that is going on in Australian coaching.  I suspect this is a wee way ahead of what is going on in NZ

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1142266/Edwards-reveals-Glory-philosophy

If Trani becomes our coach, I expect it will be veto similar to the Rado disaster. Great as an assistant manager, but just not cut out to be top dog. 

The problem I have with dismissing assistants is we're then only left with either ex-A-league head coaches, many of whom are ex coaches for a reason, and people who have never coached an A-League team before who are then less qualified than guys who have been assistants.  Unless you are only against Trani on the basis he was assistant at the Phoenix?

is a  foreign coach totally out of the question?

That would depend on what the question actually is... but, no. Very hit and miss - and history shows more misses than hits, though that applies regardless I guess.

think trani also doesnt seem to be the motivator type.. however Id rather him given a shot than some of the other Aussie flops

i want to see an experienced manager who has history in coaching possession based footy and youth development

Lee Norfolk would be an excellent choice.

He has played and coached at premier league level.

Time to get #leenorfolk trending I think?

Actually the official hashtag of the social media campaign to get Lee Norfolk as the Phoenix coach is #norfolk4nix. But trending #leenorfolk would be good too, and would help demonstrate how serious we are.

Noted!  :-)

Not sure about Trani. I want a significant shift. Being here before is not an advantage in my mind.

Sneak peak inside the Wellnix appointing committee...

 I love that.

Get used to this face folks... 

#norfolk4nix

Here's some background information on our coach-to-be Lee Norfolk...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/6967804/Football-achievement-to-savour-and-emulate 

Lee is a former Kevin Fallon protege so that's another critic who will have to stfu if (when) he comes here. The case for Norfolk is just getting stronger and stronger.

#norfolk4nix

I'm not sure what the attraction for Lee Norfolk is, having read that article. I don't know anything else about him except for what is in the article but he's only been player-coaching at a 7th tier league team, why do people think he can step up?

What about Ramon Tribulietx then? He's from Barcelona. So he must be good.

Based on the video posted above, how about Phil Mcwhatsisface from Wairarapa United?

Apparently #norfolk4nix is now trending on Twitter in Suffolk.

What do people think of the Scotsmen Ernie Merrick and Ian Ferguson? 

To me, Merrick seemed pretty competent  in his years at MV until that last season when things seemed to go a bit awry.

A-League winner and coach of the year 2007, 2010. 10 months managing Hong Kong national team till last December (2 wins, 2 losses until he became victim of internal political wrangling in HK FA apparently)

Ferguson just doesn't seem to be a good manager from what has unfolded in his career so far...

Maybe Merrick with Ferguson as assistant might work...

I've never seen a younger looking 60 year-old than Merrick either (maybe he has a secret elixir that could rejuvenate the Nix):                                                            

Hardly a combination for peossession football as dictated by our leaders, and our frontline doesn't exactly have the Thompson -> Allsopp pace that Merrick's success was built on.  One Phoenix loyalist I spoke to said he'd melt his season pass if we signed Merrick.

You say Ferguson isn't a good coach then say we should sign him as an assistant?  Did you think that through before you typed it?

I'm still far more concerened about who is making the decision.  Doesn't the coaching committee include Gareth, Noah and one other?

any decision that involves Gareth causes me great concern, I simply don't trust him to make the best decision for the players and the team. It may end up being a good financial decision but i could care less about that right now,

If people reckon that the A-league has left Ricki behind, then Merrick would be parking a horse and cart in front of our goal.