Waitakere trip themselves up again

Waitakere United have surprisingly parted company with the man that guided them to O-League glory.

Head coach Steve Cain has reluctantly stood down after leading the West Auckland club to the inaugural Oceania Champions League title and the NZFC final as minor premiers.

Waitakere said Cain�s inability to commit to the club�s new fulltime Director of Football role led to the decision to part company.

Cain is reportedly �philosophical� about the decision.

�We have had a hugely successful season and my preference would have been to carry on for a further year to build on our recent success,� Cain said in a Waitakere United statement.

�But with news that the club is looking to a fulltime Director of Football to oversee things, I have reluctantly had to step away. With a young family to consider I came to the decision after much thought that the security in such a role is simply not enough to commit and turn my back on teaching.�

Waitakere United Executive Chairman Rex Dawkins said while Cain had achieved good results for the club, the time is right for change to be examined.

�We are advertising now for a fulltime Director of Football, a position that Steve decided he would not pursue. It is important that as a club we do not sit on our laurels or be content with what we have achieved,� Dawkins said.

�Our club and all football programmes from grass roots to academy to the senior NZFC team is growing rapidly, hence the need for a fulltime appointment.

�We won�t, however, make a fulltime appointment just for the sake of it. If in our search we do not unearth the right person with the suitable experience and qualifications, we will review our position at that time and decide on the best structure to ensure our continued growth.�

Cain acknowledged the great support of fellow �Westie� Dawkins had for him during his two years in charge.

�Rex has been most supportive of everything we set out to do. But as they say �that�s football� when you reach a situation that is simply not agreeable to all parties, regardless of any success you may have had on the park.�

With victory in the O-League Cain added to a considerable CV of success � almost exclusively with teams or clubs from the West Auckland region. throughout the 1990s � including winning numerous national league and cup titles as both a player and coach.
 
Dawkins said the search for a Director of Football was well advanced but by no means was a decision expected soon.

�We have the luxury of time being on our side on this one and made a conscious decision to delay the final part of the search until after the O-League concluded.

�We have a short list of applicants and will be meeting with them over the next week or so before the Board makes its recommendations first on whether to fill the position based on the quality of the applicants and secondly on just who that will be.�

Dawkins says the priority is to have the coaching structure and staff in place in plenty of time to allow the recruitment of players and a strong preparation put in place for the FIFA World Club Cup in Japan later this year. As well as that, the club is intent on winning it�s first NZFC title and successfully defending its O-League title in 2008.