Phoenix Ownership - Rob says FTFFA (Part 1)

Further ructions within the Wellington Phoenix camp this week have only muddied the waters as the national body attempts to sort out its future with Herbert, as long-serving All Whites coach, seen as pivotal.

Herbert is expected to take an overall role with the national under-23 team as they plan their Olympic bid and has been given until today togive NZF chief executive Grant McKavanagh an answer on what that involvement will be.

McKavanagh, who had a meeting in Wellington this week with the so-called "Phoenix Five" - a consortium being touted as the likely standard bearers should Terry Serepisos fail to come up with the money needed to keep the A-League club afloat, pointed out that Herbert has a contract to coach the Phoenix until the end of the 2012-2013 season.

Any other projects would have to fit around that as has been done in the past with Serepisos' blessing.

Asked whether Football Federation Australia, who were represented at the meeting in Wellington, were keen for the Phoenix to remain in the A-League, McKavanagh said that was very much the case.

"Without doubt the FFA want a New Zealand team in the league," he said. "They are very respectful of what Terry Serepisos has done for the club and see him as one of the more progressive owners in the league.

"New Zealand Football's line remains very much as it has been from the outset. We see real value in having a professional team in New Zealand and playing in the A-League but that is the extent of our involvement. It is a private team run by private individuals. We just hope the whole matter can be sorted out."