Wellington Phoenix Men

Ernie Merrick - former Phoenix manager

3094 replies · 671,649 views
about 13 years ago · edited about 13 years ago · History

 So all the players will now have to learn Spanish .

If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid

about 13 years ago

Leggy wrote:

 So all the players will now have to learn Spanish .

Re-sign Hogg to work as a translator?
about 13 years ago

Normally, if they were average footballers, they make a good manager. Good footballers never have. I can't think of any right now anyway.....



about 13 years ago

nufc_nz wrote:

Normally, if they were average footballers, they make a good manager. Good footballers never have. I can't think of any right now anyway.....

Pep was pretty good, 47 caps for Spain
about 13 years ago

sthn.jeff wrote:

Hugo Sánchez Márquez (born July 11, 1958), popularly nicknamed Pentapichichi, or Hugol, is a Mexican footballcoach and former striker. He played for four European clubs, including Real Madrid. He was also a member of theMexico national team, and participated in three World Cups.


Sanchez played in two World Cups as far as I remember.

about 13 years ago

nufc_nz wrote:

Normally, if they were average footballers, they make a good manager. Good footballers never have. I can't think of any right now anyway.....


Cruyff? Beckenbauer? Zagallo? And like Bullion said, Guardiola too just recently. Just off the top of my head.
about 13 years ago

article here Phoenix Seek the right man for the job

"An advert for the vacant head coaching position was placed on the job website this week, a move which was greeted with some amusement on social media."


Really?

about 13 years ago

I'm now going for Ernie Clucks

#sackLeeNorfolk

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Rise up, Wellington!
about 13 years ago

nufc_nz wrote:

Normally, if they were average footballers, they make a good manager. Good footballers never have. I can't think of any right now anyway.....


Michael Laudrup
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Rise up, Wellington!
about 13 years ago · edited about 13 years ago · History

 How many YFers are applying for the Phoenix head coach job???

Profile pic. Should you be interested. Lakhsen, on the right, lost touch with him.
Mohammed, on the left, I'm still in touch with. He's now living in Agadez, Niger. More focused on his animals now as tourism has dried up. Is active with a co-op promoting local goods, leather work and bijouterie, into Europe. 
20/5/20

about 13 years ago


Be surprised if the Phoenix didn't have 2 or 3 options sorted already. None of whose names will have leaked anywhere, and are unlikely to. The owners need immediate impact, so odds are it will be an A league former coach, a current A League assistant coach or Oz youth. You can rule out any NZ connections now. The current squad minus Herbert shows the nucleus of signed up players for next year has some spirit and ability without the previous stress and strains. A League knowledge is critical. Outside chance the right foreigner could do of IF Greenacre is retained as assistant coach, which he deserves to be. But history suggests too much risk for non-A league familiar options. The word I've just heard from Melbourne is Muscat.            

about 13 years ago

the ant wrote:

Sackofspuds wrote:

As a player he was amazing. In Pele's top 125 footballers ever. As a coach? Hmmmm
http://www.examiner.com/article/pachuca-releases-hugo-sanchez


He's not of sufficient calibre to have my team under his wing, thats for sure
#voteErnieClucks  #sackLeeNorfolk
Its hard to say really. Comparing coaches records in overseas leagues and then trying to translate that into how well said coach may do in the A-League is pretty difficult. We're hardly playing in a mesmerising competition, something a little different to the norm could be all thats needed.

Who would we rather gamble on? Coaches like Hugo Sanchez or a kiwi with little experience? Tough decision.
about 13 years ago

tonya wrote:


Be surprised if the Phoenix didn't have 2 or 3 options sorted already. None of whose names will have leaked anywhere, and are unlikely to. The owners need immediate impact, so odds are it will be an A league former coach, a current A League assistant coach or Oz youth. You can rule out any NZ connections now. The current squad minus Herbert shows the nucleus of signed up players for next year has some spirit and ability without the previous stress and strains. A League knowledge is critical. Outside chance the right foreigner could do of IF Greenacre is retained as assistant coach, which he deserves to be. But history suggests too much risk for non-A league familiar options. The word I've just heard from Melbourne is Muscat.            

bahhahaha youre joking right?.... sauce??
about 13 years ago

#MuscatOut banners at the ready. 


Allegedly

about 13 years ago


Oz journo mate.

about 13 years ago

nufc_nz wrote:

Normally, if they were average footballers, they make a good manager. Good footballers never have. I can't think of any right now anyway.....



Obviously not much thought gone into your comment.
Glen Hoddle, Kevin Keegan, Graeme Sourness, Billy Wright, Robert Mancini  just to name a few. There are more than likely hundreds of others.

If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid

about 13 years ago

Leggy wrote:

nufc_nz wrote:

Normally, if they were average footballers, they make a good manager. Good footballers never have. I can't think of any right now anyway.....



Obviously not much thought gone into your comment.
Glen Hoddle, Kevin Keegan, Graeme Souness, Billy Wright, Robert Mancini  just to name a few. There are more than likely hundreds of others.

Not a good manager.

Three for me, and two for them.

about 13 years ago · edited about 13 years ago · History

A fan is a fan.

about 13 years ago

el grapadura wrote:

nufc_nz wrote:

Normally, if they were average footballers, they make a good manager. Good footballers never have. I can't think of any right now anyway.....


Cruyff? Beckenbauer? Zagallo? And like Bullion said, Guardiola too just recently. Just off the top of my head.

Mancini, Capello, Dalglish, Ancelloti,  

Normo's coming home

about 13 years ago

Zola and Poyet aren't doing to bad for themselves. Especially Poyet.

We will never fully decide who has won the football.

about 13 years ago

One Sanchez is enough...

A small town in Europe........looking to bounce straight back up....well that aint going to happen

about 13 years ago

Ricki Herbert....



about 13 years ago

Buffon II wrote:

Leggy wrote:

nufc_nz wrote:

Normally, if they were average footballers, they make a good manager. Good footballers never have. I can't think of any right now anyway.....



Obviously not much thought gone into your comment.
Glen Hoddle, Kevin Keegan, Graeme Souness, Billy Wright, Robert Mancini  just to name a few. There are more than likely hundreds of others.

Not a good manager.


Definition of a good manager is probably debatable, but he did have some success.
I did play with a Scots bloke in Auckland that did know Sourness in Scotland and said he was a prick. However am unable to confirm that.

If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid

about 13 years ago · edited about 13 years ago · History

2ndBest wrote:

 Former Real Madrid star Hugo Sanchez heads a list of applicants for the coaching position at A-League side Wellington Phoenix, ESPN understands.


This is very interesting, high risk move you'd say but potential to step things up a notch.  A lot would depend on how he was able to adapt to working with, let's be charitable here, less technically able players...partly it's going to be about fit

Part of me says brilliant, go for it.  Great football experience far beyond anything we've seen in NZ previously, part of me thinks this has car crash written all over it.

Criticising him for a less than stellar spell with Mexico national team is a little rich - that's a very high level we're talking about.  Ricki was coach of NZ, gets loads of criticism but no-one doubted that he was in the right ballpark in terms of experience to coach the Phoenix.

Normo's coming home

about 13 years ago

With the salary cap and loads of travel involved, only league similar to the A-League is the MLS. Maybe we should look to pick up a coach with MLS experience?

about 13 years ago

Nelsen? 


Yellow Fever - Misery loves company

about 13 years ago · edited about 13 years ago · History

james dean wrote:

2ndBest wrote:

 Former Real Madrid star Hugo Sanchez heads a list of applicants for the coaching position at A-League side Wellington Phoenix, ESPN understands.


This is very interesting, high risk move you'd say but potential to step things up a notch.  A lot would depend on how he was able to adapt to working with, let's be charitable here, less technically able players...partly it's going to be about fit

Part of me says brilliant, go for it.  Great football experience far beyond anything we've seen in NZ previously, part of me thinks this has car crash written all over it.

Criticising him for a less than stellar spell with Mexico national team is a little rich - that's a very high level we're talking about.  Ricki was coach of NZ, gets loads of criticism but no-one doubted that he was in the right ballpark in terms of experience to coach the Phoenix.


This guy is the type that of manager that Sydney would buy.

We'd all be sceptical about his appointment, and then laugh when it blow up in their face.
about 13 years ago

With the salary cap and loads of travel involved, only league similar to the A-League is the MLS. Maybe we should look to pick up a coach with MLS experience?

Don't get too hung up on theories like this. Coaching is about ability, man management and recruitment [plus other stuff too]  but where and when you have coached are only minor considerations. 
about 13 years ago

james dean wrote:

2ndBest wrote:

 Former Real Madrid star Hugo Sanchez heads a list of applicants for the coaching position at A-League side Wellington Phoenix, ESPN understands.


This is very interesting, high risk move you'd say but potential to step things up a notch.  A lot would depend on how he was able to adapt to working with, let's be charitable here, less technically able players...partly it's going to be about fit

Part of me says brilliant, go for it.  Great football experience far beyond anything we've seen in NZ previously, part of me thinks this has car crash written all over it.

Criticising him for a less than stellar spell with Mexico national team is a little rich - that's a very high level we're talking about.  Ricki was coach of NZ, gets loads of criticism but no-one doubted that he was in the right ballpark in terms of experience to coach the Phoenix.


In the context of the very good post about Marketing you made earlier JD, I feel like this would be a bad move. After the initial splash of publicity this could go pear-shaped very quickly. Even an Aussie seems more likely to understand the unique position of the Nix in the A-League and NZ sport.


about 13 years ago

Can you explain to me this fixation with 'understanding the unique position of the Nix...." stuff? Why do you think its so important? How much did, say, Wenge know about Arsenal and it's unique position in English football before he got the job? and a million other examples. You've putting waaaaay too much emphasis on this type of thing. 

about 13 years ago

terminator_x wrote:

james dean wrote:

2ndBest wrote:

 Former Real Madrid star Hugo Sanchez heads a list of applicants for the coaching position at A-League side Wellington Phoenix, ESPN understands.


This is very interesting, high risk move you'd say but potential to step things up a notch.  A lot would depend on how he was able to adapt to working with, let's be charitable here, less technically able players...partly it's going to be about fit

Part of me says brilliant, go for it.  Great football experience far beyond anything we've seen in NZ previously, part of me thinks this has car crash written all over it.

Criticising him for a less than stellar spell with Mexico national team is a little rich - that's a very high level we're talking about.  Ricki was coach of NZ, gets loads of criticism but no-one doubted that he was in the right ballpark in terms of experience to coach the Phoenix.


In the context of the very good post about Marketing you made earlier JD, I feel like this would be a bad move. After the initial splash of publicity this could go pear-shaped very quickly. Even an Aussie seems more likely to understand the unique position of the Nix in the A-League and NZ sport.



I actually do agree - it'd be like appointing Maradona to coach blackburn rovers.  You know it's not a good idea, but it'd be a lot of fun so you hope it might work and fool yourself.  We're not ready for this coach

Normo's coming home

about 13 years ago · edited about 13 years ago · History

With the salary cap and loads of travel involved, only league similar to the A-League is the MLS. Maybe we should look to pick up a coach with MLS experience?

Yep, Sanchez is that man, having played in the inaugral season of MLS for Dallas in 1996 (25 games/ 11 goals) near the end of his playing career and actually spending two seasons early in his career for San Diego Sockers in the old NASL  (32 games/ 26 goals). So, three seasons in US football...

Has only a modest over-all coaching record so far though:

Team         Nat   From To    G W L D     Win %    GF GA   +/-

UNAM1         2000 2005  202 89 63 50  44.06%   328 295 +33

Club Necaxa  2006 2006     7 2 4 1      28.57%     8 11 -3

Mexico           2006 2008   26 13 9 4   50%       45 32 +13

Almería          2009 2009   17 6 4 7    35.29%     5  6 -1

Career:      G: 252 W:110 L:80 D:62 Win%: 43.65% GF:386 GA:344 GD: +42

 


TeamNatFromTo

 


 

Some good results like taking Mexico to third place in the 2007 Copa America (beating Brazil on the way) seem to have been followed by a fair amount of mediocrity at national and club level, a pattern throughout his coaching career.

Some critical comments on his very informative Wikipedia page (a well-researched one):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_S%C3%A1nchez

" During his coaching career especially, Sánchez has been known for his volatile temperament and willingness to speak candidly, often expressing strong emotions and opinions, a trait that engenders equally emotional and strong responses from those he criticizes. He has a long-standing feud between with former Mexican National Coach, Ricardo La Volpe.

...Many analysts claim that Sánchez's first year as the national coach has resulted in a Mexican team with poor soccer variants, null collective game, tactic stiffness, and lack of strategy. A significant proportion of the press agree that this situation has reached a point of no return with the U-23 elimination from the Pre Olympic tournament... On March 31 2008, Hugo Sánchez was fired from the Mexican team via a 16-2 vote from the main leaders of the sixteen First Division Club Owners."

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Still, as JD says above, would be fun to see how it turns out with a world legend like Sanchez in charge of our more modest team - even if he only lasts a short time...

Big Pete 65, Christchurch

about 13 years ago

james dean wrote:

el grapadura wrote:

nufc_nz wrote:

Normally, if they were average footballers, they make a good manager. Good footballers never have. I can't think of any right now anyway.....


Cruyff? Beckenbauer? Zagallo? And like Bullion said, Guardiola too just recently. Just off the top of my head.

Mancini, Capello, Dalglish, Ancelloti,  

Jupp Heynkes, Matthias Sammer, Juergen Klinsmann.
But I was reading that how the coaching system works, there a few really good coaches in the lower leagues in Europe that never get the chance to coach a big teams because they never played in top teams. To much fear. Here is an example that this can work. Thomas Tuchel  
Imagine the Welnix hired that guy? Nobody knows him, outcry! Check his result as coach. And see check how long he is at the same club. See his age, he must do something right.
about 13 years ago

I do think there's such a thing as being over-qualified.

You wouldn't ask Marco Pierre White to manage a McDonalds.

The new coach needs to be a good fit with the club. That's not necessarily the most qualified candidate on paper.


about 13 years ago

We need someone like the coach of Borussia Dortmund.  Not THAT guy obviously, but someone with a similar mentality.  Good article in Four Four Two for anyone wondering where I plucked that one from...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe_B5CzbTJo - Caceres winning penalty v Perth - footage from the Fever Zone

about 13 years ago

Big Pete 65 wrote:

(---)

Some critical comments on his very informative Wikipedia page (a well-researched one):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_S%C3%A1nchez

" During his coaching career especially, Sánchez has been known for his volatile temperament and willingness to speak candidly, often expressing strong emotions and opinions, a trait that engenders equally emotional and strong responses from those he criticizes. (---)



If we wanted a coach with mediocre results and volatile temperament we could simply go for John Kosmina who ticks both these boxes.

Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days