OK, so take Ricki out of the organisation and show me where we have any real experience at all of running an A-League franchise, including amongst the ownership. Basically, there isn't any, and I'm to sure that's a place we're ready to go.
I just don't think a discussion about Ricki's future should be as polarised and, dare I say, unsophisticated as "he either stays as total over-lord" or "he must be banished forever". There are a lot of different options that could be considered.
I also think you are failing to distinguish clearly enough between trying to do recruitment, for example, as a head coach with very little time and support (as Ricki has mostly had to do) and contributing to recruitment as a DoF supporting a head coach. They are two completely different scenarios.
The man has been with the Phoenix from day one, and nobody knows the Phoenix and the A-League better than him. Yes, it seems clear he has reached the natural conclusion of his head coaching duties, but can we really afford to biff all that knowledge and experience completely?