Possibly some criticism of Ifill at domestic level (even though done well), but anyone who watched his Chch United team or Olympic team very much knows he sure as heck wouldn't put out the awful anti-football we've served up this season.
Personally I would be more inclined for Greenacre to get a go ideally with Adam Griffiths staying on as assistant (though wonder if he will be tied to Chiefy).
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
FYI - I think the ALM coaching badge required (for non Australians) was only recently obtainable in NZ/Oceania. Guys had to previously to travel and spend some time overseas to get it.
The often maligned Martin Bullock (NZ U17s boys coach) was the first to get it in NZ late last year.
The Pro Licence is widely regarded as the global benchmark for elite-level coaches and is a mandatory qualification for managing in many of the world’s top football leagues, including Europe’s top-tier competitions.
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
Greeny got his pro licence in Australia, and apparently Paul Temple was to start studying for the same badge in 2023. I doubt that Ifill yet holds a pro licence.
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
Martin Bullock has it... wow - just proves that having badges doesn't suddenly make you a great coach.
I don't think we've had a worse coach nationally at any level than Mr Bullock in the last 10 years - stylistically or tactically... and I include Klimkova in that assessment.
I may be wrong, but I believe that Ifill has relied on having a qualified assistant coach, who was 'officially' the head coach, at both Christchurch United and Olympic, to be able to coach at National League level. So I doubt he has the quals for A-League.
He's obviously a great guy, would be a superb leader, has tonnes of experience. I believe he is also an excellent coach.
However, in between an awesome and extended playing career, setting up and running his academy and staying employed with his multiple coaching gigs (remember that NZ coaches often have to double or triple up on coaching jobs), you have to wonder how he could possibly have found the time for multiple trips to Australia to get properly ticketed.
IMO this shows the shortfalls of the over reliance on coaching badges.
FYI - I think the ALM coaching badge required (for non Australians) was only recently obtainable in NZ/Oceania. Guys had to previously to travel and spend some time overseas to get it.
The often maligned Martin Bullock (NZ U17s boys coach) was the first to get it in NZ late last year.
The Pro Licence is widely regarded as the global benchmark for elite-level coaches and is a mandatory qualification for managing in many of the world’s top football leagues, including Europe’s top-tier competitions.
Frankly the rule needs to be extended to NZ coaches - we have two NZ clubs now and a heap of Aussie clubs are able to employ ex-players who clearly haven't got the badges yet. Why should the Nix (and AFC) be forced into getting Aussie coaches most of the time?
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
In terms of who should be next in line, then I think Greenacre would be well in contention. It fits well with the club wants to do overall in terms of promoting from within as well.
• Has been at the club in some capacity now for about 15+ years. • Would have an excellent grasp of the best young talents coming through, via both working in the academy and through working with the NZ U19's/U20s. He has an excellent relationship with all the young lads coming through too.
Only downside I can see with an appointment of him would be that he'd miss the backend of pre-season and possibly the start of the season proper as the U20's head over to Chile for the World Cup in September/early part of October.
I don't think he'd quickly relinquish that role and the opportunity leading in to a World Cup, which I suppose is entirely fair enough too.
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
If Greeny was to replace Chiefy, being the NZ U20s coach is both a plus and a minus.
Yes he would miss about 3 crucial weeks of the preseason. But then about a 3rd of the likely Nix squad (8-11 young players) will be with him in Chile. As YH says he knows that group of Weenix grads better than anyone.
Any new Chiefy coaching replacement coming in outside the current Nix setup, has a 3rd of his squad away in the most important part of preseason, whilst looking to imbed tactics, playing style, getting to know the players etc.
Even with the Young Socceroos also qualifying, the Nix will easily have the most players at the U20 WC, of any ALM club.
If Greenarce and Griffiths can work together, that looms as the best coaching combo if Chiefy exits. It's gonna be another heavily disrupted pre season, so not ideal bring in a head coach completely new to the club. Griffiths can step in for 3-4 weeks Greenarce is away with the U20s.
After a first season of ALM football for most, plus playing against some of the world's best young talent at a U20 WC - I'd expect (hope) the likes of AKH, LKH, Walker, GSR, LBS & Supyk to be better players next season. G&G as a coaching combo could help with that. Maybe just a 1 year deal to start with. Chris G does now have his pro licence
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
Fenix, Kung Fu Panda, that photographer guy who supported Newcastle or was born there or something, Junior or his chosen alternate and Cosimo or Cosmo or whoever the owl guy was. Those are my original nominations.
If I ever met those guys I don’t know it, but the Newcastle guy promoted his business website here once iirc so had some photos on it.
Southern Jeff, Andy Harper and a couple of the elite on the bench…not sure if Paige would be an asset or a liability in drumming up Lasogga money from management…
Last season under Chiefy we - by far - played the most controlled, defensively sound football we ever had. It's such a shame that it's turned out this way.
I do think there's no realistic way back from here though, he's lost the dressing room. He's at the point where he's said the same thing so many times that the players have stopped believing it. Add to that his pretty woeful management of imports and I think he's done
Hence the thread suggesting alternatives. Which tbh may be the biggest argument in favour of keeping him, given that the best shout so far has probably been Danny Hay, who more than likely wouldn’t come…
Whether Chiefy goes or stays, it doesn't really matter. It's our management that needs to show investment in the squad.
I reckon there has been enough investment , just poor recruitment. Chiefy got to recruit 4 imports plus got ball paid out, all would be on decent coin. Retre, Kosta, Rojas and Cola wouldn’t haven’t been cheap to bring / retain in Welly.
That’s 8 players - add in solid performers from previous season Payne, Rufer, Sutton.
That’s plenty of investment for a starting team, just hasn’t been spent wisely.
Greenacre for me. Obvious fit. Knows the club and up and coming players inside out. I would love to see Ifill as his assistant. The club is currently a charisma free zone. Ifill has it in spades. As a mentor, and with the media…..he’s the man. One think I have noticed this season is how passive the Nix management are. As a CEO Dome is virtually invisible. They seem to have decided to let a young coach take all the flack by himself. Chiefy seems to be the clubs spokesman as well as trying to coach in difficult circumstances. He’s not 100% responsible for another poor season. The arrival of AFC has exposed issues of governance at the Nix. Issues that have been around for years. Changing the coach will only paper over the cracks IMO.
Has Greenie applied 3 times...are you sure about that? He only recently got his coaching certificate. The feeling has been he was happy with the stability of coaching at the Academy.
I’m preety sure he has applied at least the last 3 rounds
Greenacre only got his pro licence in 2023. Maybe even after Chiefy was appointed as head coach. He couldn’t have applied without a pro licence, unless on paper his assistant with a pro licence is named as head coach
Like Des and Greeny were a combo, with Buckingham having the pro licence?? Think I have that correct
I’m preety sure he has applied at least the last 3 rounds.
He's been the interim boss three times, and as Coochie says he's had someone else with him who had the badges. Whether he has applied for the perm role is unknown. I dont think the club has ever provided a list of applicants.
Throwing some random names in, but what about former Nix player Simon Elliott or even crazier Michael Mayne. Is it very different coaching women than men? Anyway don't come at me as if we are getting a new coach.
mayne reminds me of his 'brother'sam wilkinson. not sure what he's doing or how qualified he is
another perhaps not so random option could be former Nix reserves coach andy hedge, who is one of the guys who coaches the coaches here in Aotearoa. he has a UEFA A licence
mayne reminds me of his 'brother'sam wilkinson. not sure what he's doing or how qualified he is
another perhaps not so random option could be former Nix reserves coach andy hedge, who is one of the guys who coaches the coaches here in Aotearoa. he has a UEFA A licence
Mayne has recruited Sam Wilkinson to be a Football Ferns assistant. I thought Auckland FC might bring in Wilkinson to be involved in their Academy pathway setup. Would make the Waikato 'feeder' clubs with their MOUs with AFC, feel represented with a local Tron coach within.
Don't think he'd be ready to manage an A League club, but could be a useful assistant. Why did he leave the Weenix and return to the Waikato? Seems a backward step. Not rated at the Phoenix?
Subsequently, he was appointed manager of the reserve team of New Zealand side Wellington Phoenix, before becoming their assistant manager one year later. Following his stint there, he was appointed manager of New Zealand side Melville.
