Ernie Merrick - former Phoenix manager

No journo asked him about his Hong Kong gig being cut short. He also got a $400,000 payout from that and was on some big bucks

I doubt he's on that kinda money here.

Why don't we tell one of the teachers that some of the other kids are being mean to us?

Feeling distinctly meh about this appointment but Welnix picked him, so time to get in behind him.

We have a manager... Awesome.. 4/5 signings to come.. There will be some big changes in starting players.. Siggy, Lia on the bench??

Ernie is the Man... Any chance of an seaeme St Ernie appreciation day? Ie turning Japanese

good luck ernie. Lets get behind him/the club

Two Phoenix Ernies

We have got two Phoenix Ernies

He stated his views, didn't just repeat what Rob spoke about.

That was Meghan Mutrie asking that cat question...I know CGW is light entertainment but her pieces are so 'first week at film school'

She pains me. 

He said you can't change players to play a different kind of football.

For a minute there, I thought I'd stumbled across a Chelsea thread moaning about hiring Benitez. Please don't let us end up like that.

no he didn't he said you cdna ask young players to do it, but you can't expect the older pros to change.

Any more news on what Greenacre's roll might be? Looking forward to see who the new boss signs. 

Welcome Ernie. Our overlords (and yours) are full of shit btw.

Well, the week that Ricky left, I predicted Ernie Merrick as a likely candidate. Before the Phoenix, in the days of that Auckland outfit, I would watch the A-league and look forward to seeing Victory play.  I was impressed by the attractive football they played & how they would wear down the opposition. They played a confident,possession style football incorporating an accurate, clinical transition to attack. Despite everything being said about EM, I believe he has the all round ability to take this club to new heights. Stop knocking and get behind Ernie!!!!

Even though I don't rate this appointment, at least we can start moving forward and start preparing for the new season.

Will be interesting to see how Carlos reacts, too. They didn't get on too well towards the end there.

I went and saw most home games under Merrick - I'm hoping he isn't as stuck in his ways as he used to be. Was very similar to why Ricki got the boot. He's always been good in media interviews, though, so I'm not surprised he sold himself well to the Nix board.

Liked what I heard from his comments on what playing strength he felt needed to be added and tactically what he'd look to change.

One strong defender, a striker; and two midfielders to dramatically improve transition; sounds spot on to me.  Doloras might think we've got a half dozen strikers but since Smeltz and maybe Dadi we've had a whole bunch of converted wider players, some young kids and a couple of donkeys.

Fullbacks playing as wingers, defense is only half their job, and four creative players holding possession in the top third and looking for the killer ball.  Again, can't fault the talk.

The Welnix selection points of some-one who understands the A League and NZ, who can produce sustainable results, i.e. supporting development of youth players, and who has experience with the A-League travel factor seem all very valid to me.  I couldn't see a high profile high budget European or Brit fitting the bill.

I also liked his comments about a strong pre-season being important.

Short of signing a new billionaire owner and five Champions League quality players I think he ticks the boxes and has the record.  For all the comments about 442 aussies rotflao if you actually look at the comments there are, sure, a few typically smart arsed Aussies slagging off but quite a few saying we have a good signing and Ernie is under-rated.  For my money he has the record.  And he's talked the right talk about the areas that need to improve. 

But seems we have two very distinct views from those who have watched Ernie's sides of the past.

So now it's just looking forward to him signing quality in those key areas and demonstrating that he can walk the talk in 2013/14.  COYN COE

Merrick got the boot for guiding Victory to 5th in 2010/11 with a Won 11, Drawn 10, Lost 9 record. So not similar to Herbert at all. If Herbert had had that record last season he would still be coach.

 Welcome Ernie - Hope you have a great time with us and get us back on track by making the RoF a fortress again.

He was VERY optimistic about crowd numbers. Does he realise Wellington's population is 10x smaller than Melbourne?

dream big or don't dream at all....

Merrick's time away may have given him a chance to upskill/change his approach

Nearly all coaches and players are 'recycled' in some form. 

This exact same argument seems to come up whenever we sign anyone. It doesn't make any sense.

At least Ernie has had success in the past. Lets give him a chance to do so in the present before we write him off yeah?

underwhelmed.

Ernie didn't take us to any WCs.

Feel like we are the MV reruns, not the Phoenix. hope i don't feel that way for too long, but this is hard to get enthusiastic about.

Would have preferred one of the younger assistant coaches hanging around other A-league clubs, but he is definitely the best of the managers who have experience in the league.

I can completely see the reasons why the Phoenix went with him.

Not sure how much he needs to change his approach.  Always enjoyed watching Victory and this speaks for itself. 

I am happy that this long period of uncertainty has finally ended. I'm sure Ernie will hit the ground running, and he knows he has a few points to prove, especially in the wider A-League environment. It seems a shame that a few are pissing and moaning already before a ball has been kicked under his management;

I hope many more will join me and mine in welcoming Ernie. We are right behind you friend. You could not do much worse than last season, and I reckon the next season could be epic...

His new signings will set his stall out, and then may be a farer time to start judging him and his apprach.

Right decision. Now to sign the midfielders we need.

 Good luck, Ern.

Great to have a decision made! Merrick is worthy. 

Of course there are better coaches around. 

There always will be. 

But we ain't got buckets of cash and I want us to be around in ten years time. 

Welcome to Wellington, Ernie (Erniiiiie)

And he coached the greatest football team in the west!

 What a surprise.

Good luck, all we need now are a few better players.

From Chris Milicich on twitter

"Sometimes you do wonder why you bother to work so hard when people make decisions that make you go - are you drunk? Haha"

No idea whether that is about the coaching appointment (he applied) but it coincided with the announcement time.

sour grapes prehaps?

Over 300 candidates... I laugh at the people who replied "there is no one else" when me and others were calling for RH to be sacked !

dude that was when most odf the options being voiced were from NZ, how many of those 300 names do you think we actually coaches/managers? I'd guess 50 at most