Phoenix go global - Offical !

Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert and chief executive Tony Pignata left Wellington on Tuesday bound for the United Kingdom, where several players have been identified as being a good fit for the club heading into its second season in the Hyundai A-League. Herbert and Pignata will also scout players in Germany and the Netherlands before hooking up with club owner and chairman Terry Serepisos in Brazil to take a look at South American players earmarked as potential signings.

All three will return to Wellington on February 29 and are hoping to have made some firm decisions about the club�s playing roster by then. At the top of the Phoenix�s shopping list is a strike partner for Shane Smeltz and two key defenders. The club has already made one key signing, with All Whites midfielder Leo Bertos returning home to Wellington from the Perth Glory on a two-year deal.

With more time on the club�s side heading into season two, Pignata said management would be making no rash decisions on new players or those in the existing squad.

�In season one we had very little time to really assess what was needed or whether we had the right players in the right positions. But now we can really take a close look at what�s required and how we can make it work for the club.�

Pignata said it was important to see what playing talent was on offer overseas.

�The profile of the Hyundai A-League has grown exponentially on the domestic and international scenes. Given the increasingly global nature of the competition, it�s only fitting that we scout international talent.�

As well as overseas players (Hyundai A-League clubs can each have for foreign players on their books), the Phoenix will also investigate whether several Australians and Kiwis playing in Europe are interested in returning to play in the Australasian competition.

�There are some players in that position that we�ll be talking to,� Pignata said. �But, again, we won�t be hurrying into anything. There are a lot of associated issues to be worked through yet, including considerations we have to make regarding the current squad we have and how we can make everything fit into the $2 million salary cap.�

The Phoenix released Brazilians Cleberson and George Paladini midway through the season, with young defender Steven O�Dor also released in January. That means the Phoenix currently have a squad of 21 players out of a maximum of 23. Decisions on the futures of four players on one-year contracts � captain Ross Aloisi, marquee signing Ahmad Elrich, Vince Lia and Felipe � as well as short-term replacement Kristian Rees will not be made till the squad returns from annual leave on March 3.

And changes at the Phoenix are not limited to the playing team, with the club also restructuring its coaching and management operations.

The Phoenix opted not to renew the contract of assistant coach Stu Jacobs for season two, with Herbert to take a more hands-on role in coaching operations.

�Stu did a tremendous job for the club, particularly when things were a little chaotic as we worked to get everything up and running in such a short timeframe,� Pignata said. �To have a coach of his talent and calibre available to us � and right here in Wellington to boot � was absolutely invaluable.

�It�s unfortunate but with the restructuring of our coaching operations there was no longer the need for two assistant coaches.�

The club is also seeking to appoint a head of medical services and key positions in the management set-up, including a chief financial officer.

�In a totally professional environment we have to operate in a professional manner,� Pignata said. �That means making some tough decisions for the betterment of the organization, be it on the field or off it. Everything we are doing is part of our goal to be a force in the Hyundai A-League now and in the future.�