Ernie Merrick - former Phoenix manager

I don't think so. That was what was so hilarious about Gareth's unequivocal statement a few weeks back that Ricki "would definitely be coach next season" - he immediately qualified it by saying "but I'm not on the football committee".

Surely such an important decision will be made by the full Board? Perhaps on a recommendation from the Football (or Coaching) Committee?

Anyway, this is all irrelevant. They will be receiving my dossier on Lee Norfolk soon - job done.

#norfolk4nix

You would kind of hope that the coach selection committee is expanded to get as much expertise as possible. Maybe along with Noah and Choatey and the Board guys they could add a couple of ex senior players/Aw's like Vaughn Coveney and Sumner. Maybe someone from NZF  and FFA with a coaching background(high performance managers?). Ross Aloisi could provide an Oz perspective and he knows the Nix setup well. Ricki should be there too

This is a critical appointment and IMO the more smart, experianced, football people you have making the decision the higher the probability you will get it right

I hear Benitez will be available come end of May? Aim high and no Russian to contend with.

lol

We would play well but lose every game.

 In abstract terms, Miron never brought a consistent success to any team he coached whether old NSL or the A-League. He had some spectacular games where his team would do very well but the falls were as low as the wins were high. That would be great if there were as many (let alone more) wins as losses. He talked himself up a lot, but failed to deliver consistently.

I am not sure if Merrick was just about two great attacking players. He brought good discipline to Melbourne Victory, and only one bad year brought him undone. The MBV fans and the board are much less forgiving than the YF and expect probably far more (and that's also because they're not as fickle as Sydney FC supporters, let alone our WPX lot). If Ricki had won the league a couple of times I think the owners would let him get away with one season of wooden spoonville, which is what did not happen for Merrick.

 And I add only as matter of protocol that Ferguson is nowhere near that level of competence. He is a young coach by football standards - he learned the ropes with Lawrie McKinna but his success at NQ Fury was muted at best. At Perth Glory he probably inherited a good squad initially but seems to have lost the players in the end. And before we start a new conversation, I think Kosmina would be just too divisive and antagonistic - he always seems one tense stare away from a sudden punch up. In my 30 years of observing him (even as a player) he's never been able to relax and unwind.

Miron,s record is not as bad as people say.....but there is no way he will leave Queeensland. As I posted before Miron is a very wealthy businessman and has extensive business interests all over Sth Queensland. All his coaching career has been in this area so he can keep tabs on his work. No way would he leave all this and come to NZ

Kosmina is a no bullshit, brawling sort of hard nose character....his methods might not suit some of the delicate flowers at the Nix. IMO some of them need a kick up the arse....they way they have meekly folded in games this year is pathetic. He would certainly sort the team out but his volatility would probably mean he would not be a long term option. What he does have is a good eye for talent. Adelaide have picked up some real talent..especially from Sth America(even that diving c**t Jeronimo is an OK player ) 

 Auckland boss keen on Phoenix job

Auckland City's Spanish mentor Ramon Tribulietx has declared his interest in becoming the next coach of the Wellington Phoenix.

The 40-year-old from Barcelona has made a good impression since arriving in New Zealand five years ago, winning two Oceania Champions League titles and coaching City to creditable performances at the Club World Cup.

Tribulietx, who previously played and coached in Spain's third division, is committed to possession-based football, which fits snugly with the Phoenix's proposed philosophy.

"I think you're the third or fourth person that has asked me the same question," Tribulietx said when asked if he wanted to replace Ricki Herbert.

"I'm definitely interested but I'll think about it when we finish the season. Of course, as a coach, for my career, I want to move into that kind of football. But at the moment I have a job to do and a very important one in the semifinals of the ASB Premiership [with the first leg against Canterbury United tomorrow]."

The A-League would be a big step up for Tribulietx, although he coached City to a 3-1 win against Central Coast Mariners in a pre-season game in 2011.

"We were only three games into our pre-season and they had played 12 games. Obviously the Central Coast Mariners are a very good side and we managed to get a result so that was a great experience."

Tribulietx played as a "deep lying No 10" in the Spanish third division before earning his coaching stripes with UE Sant Andreu, UE Figueres and UE Castelldefels.

"I've been in professional coaching environments in Spain for three years and I would have no problems stepping up. It would be a challenge, but I think I'm ready for something like that, you know. Obviously the way we play at Auckland City right now, and for the last three seasons, it's possession-based football. We try to look after the ball and delay the forward pass and hold possession more than the opposition. That's our philosophy."

Tribulietx comes off contract with City in May.

With a month of this season remaining, the Phoenix have time to sift through plenty of CVs before settling on their new man.

Former Phoenix assistant coach Luciano Trani has already fired off his resume, while All Whites assistant Neil Emblen has all but ruled himself out of the race.

Former All White Danny Hay says the job isn't for him, while caretaker coach Chris Greenacre has said he is not ready.

Ernie Merrick, who coached Melbourne Victory to two titles, is keen to return to the A-League and unsuccessfully applied for the Sydney FC job won by Frank Farina mid-season.

But the arrival of Carlos Hernandez to the Phoenix in June could be a stumbling block with the pair having an up and down relationship during their time together at the Victory.

The Phoenix face A-League competition in the coaching hunt with Adelaide United also looking for a new boss.

Adelaide have formed a special selection committee including former Socceroos Craig Foster, Alex Tobin and John Perin, while board member Bruno Marveggio did not discount chasing Herbert.

"It may be too early to talk about Ricki Herbert," Marveggio told The Advertiser newspaper.

"But it's all coming together with the committee. Once we reach a decision on exactly what we want and it's approved, then we'll start talking about coaches."

Phoenix general manager David Dome yesterday said the club was not yet making any comment on the process of selecting a new coach.

But on Tuesday Dome said it would be an international search.

"The reality is there's a lot of good coaches out there and we're not going to limit it to Australia, New Zealand," Dome said.

"We'll go wide, we'll just see what's available."

Other possibilities include Ross Aloisi, Ante Milicic, Gavin Wilkinson, Simon Elliott, John Kosmina, Ian Ferguson, Miron Bleiberg, John Herdman, Chris Milicich, Paul Okon, Aurelio Vidmar and Kevin Muscat.

 Typical Worthington no mention of the real contender Lee Norfolk.

We need someone with a Postacoglou mindset. Has a plan, believes in it and is not afraid to give players an ear full if needs be.

id actually be interested in tribulietix 

for a couple of reasons:

• he's a coach who understands the NZ football scene (you'd hope)
  
• he wants to play an attacking brand of footy 
  
• would be good to see how an NZFC coach would do given a shot - plus incentive for other coaches at NZFC level

Aurelio Vidmar ftw.

 If Tribuletx gets the job, will he re-sign Dani Sanchez?

(That's a Catalan rather than a Spanish name, isn't it?)

Something about that region that doesn't rub against Gareth the right way.

 Yes it was.

Yeah, slack work by Worthington.

Also, he doesn't elaborate on the reason Hay has excluded himself - because he knows he can't compete against Norfolk.

#norfolk4nix

Wouldn't mind Tribulitx as an assistant but not as head coach. As B coach he could work on the youngsters playing possession based football...His lack of A-League experiance would count against him as head. Could be handy for recruiting.....seems to have good player contacts in Spain. 

does Tribulitx have his 'A' coaching licence? if not then he can't coach the nix.

you've missed the best candidate, Declan Edge, plays football, stuffed a great clud in melville and waikato and now is in welly looking after ole academy

Listen to Gareth radio interview. He said something about the new coach, that is unlikely they find one in NZ or Aus. Spending money on coach an not expensive marquee players. Welnix looking world wide, that's the plan.

It will be an overseas coach. Gareth Morgan virtually ruled out a NZ coach today, thankfully. At last, major revamp going on right thru the ranks on and off the field. Love to know who their football advisor is. Won't be just Hickey or Chote. Major change is needed, and it's clear owners are on it - now !  If you have any doubts about radical change , watch the sellout game tonight Mariners v WSW. Won't get near them without an Australian type club model, backed up with our academy to make sure we have kids coming thru.  

 Hmmm. It's definitely exciting news, but as we've heard elsewhere, non-Australasian coaches generally haven't lasted long in the A-League.

Say "hey" to the FFA?

Ramon is an interesting one. Yes he does focus more on possession based football but even the ACFC guys that post here are saying they are a bit fed up with his sideways and back possession at all costs mentality. I have heard that his tactical analysis is world class so that ticks a box. He is a mild mannered character. People talk about that game against CCM. It might have been 3-1, but CCM were the better side for all of it (Matt Simon lived offside I recall). You could argue that Ricki's achievement of being undefeated at the WC is better but then where is he now?

The question is, is he worth the punt because in some respects, he is. I'm not sure where I sit on this one.