Daily Australian News Thread 2013

[Grimario]

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/...%20Coach/67581

The Wellington Phoenix has appointed the A-League’s most successful ever coach, Ernie Merrick, as the Club’s new Head Coach.

Many candidates were interviewed from around the world, with Merrick’s proven track record of two premierships, two championships and three grand final appearances giving him the edge over some very talented coaches.

Wellington Phoenix Chairman Rob Morrison said the Club is delighted to secure Merrick’s services and that he brings with him an impressive track record.

“Ernie has an unrivalled record in the A-League, including two Championships and another finals appearance, as well as being Hyundai A-League Coach of the Year twice with Melbourne Victory,” Morrison said.

“His twelve years at the Victoria Institute of Sport, as well as his work with Melbourne Victory youth, demonstrates a proven track record in developing youth and bringing them through to the first team, something which is a core strategic pillar of the Phoenix.

“He also fully understands the long term strategy the Club is implementing and is supportive of that approach.”

The Phoenix went through an exhaustive and thorough selection process. Candidates were required to articulate their football philosophy along with presenting the strategies and tactics they would employ if appointed Head Coach.

Morrison said Merrick’s presentation highlighted what an outstanding coach he is.
“Ernie’s presentation showed that he has all the skills to lead the Phoenix to the top of the A-League,” Morrison said.

“His clearly articulated football philosophy and attention to detail was strongly underpinned by his sports science skills and that gave him a unique combination of attributes.
“His skill set definitely gave him a distinct edge.

“Another plus was that his knowledge of the A-League and its players is exceptional.”

Merrick says that he is excited by the new challenge ahead and looks forward to building the Phoenix into a true A-League title contender.

“My coaching philosophy has always been about winning. That’s what I will be bringing to the Phoenix,” Merrick, who has signed a two-year contract with an option for a third year, said.

“I’m also happy to be back in the A-League.

“I had six years at Victory but this is a new challenge entirely. It is unusual for one team to represent a country and it presents me with a great challenge.

“There is great potential at the club and there must be a lot of talented young players in New Zealand to draw on.

“I focussed on producing young players at the Victoria Institute of Sport and at Melbourne Victory, and one of my most important roles at the Phoenix will be to provide input into the type of structure that will groom up and coming players for the first team.”

Merrick said his first priority would be to sign players for two or three crucial positions and then to make sure there was a production line of young players coming through.

“That is something I tried to ensure at Victory because you are always going to have injuries and players called up for international duty.

“To make three grand finals in four seasons as we did at Victory we had to keep new players coming through.”

If Merrick impressed the club during the selection process, the feeling was mutual.

“The owners and board are determined to bring stability to the Phoenix, and they impressed me as people who want to set up structures and a playing style rather than just try and buy success season after season,” Merrick said.

One of the players Merrick will inherit is his former Victory star Carlos Hernandez who will join up with the Phoenix next month after a stint in India.

“Carlos was obviously signed before I was appointed but I know him well,” he said.

“He has tremendous technical skills and can score goals as well as help others produce them.”
Merrick will take up his duties on June 5 and said he was already planning his first season’s full programme.

Ernie Merrick at a Glance
Born Edinburgh, Scotland
Most successful coach in A-League history: A-League Premierships in 2006-07 and 2008-09: A-League Championship 2006-07 and 2008-09.
A-League Coach of the Year: 2006-07, 2009-10

Coaching career:
1987–1988: Preston Makedonia
1989–1991: Sunshine George Cross
1992–2004: Victoria Institute of Sport
2005–2011: Melbourne Victory.
2011- 2012: Hong Kong National Team

[joel31]

Mass Murdocca leaving Roar for Melbourne
http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/...Murdocca/67608

[Grimario]

So glad he has been released by Brisbane almost 2 weeks after it was announced by many that he signed for Heart...

A reunion with ex-coach Ange Postecoglou at Melbourne Victory looms for Mitch Nichols after the midfielder opted not to re-sign with A-League club Brisbane.

The Victory are set to confirm they have signed Nichols who won back-to-back premierships under Postecoglou at the Roar.

Roar coach Mike Mulvey had initially been confident of keeping the attacking midfielder but Nichols' management confirmed on Friday that he was "seeking new opportunities outside of Brisbane to further his career".

"We've been in constant communication with Mitch and his management during this season, however, at this time, Mitch indicated he feels he needs a new challenge," Roar managing director Sean Dobson said.

"From the club's point of view, we're comfortable knowing we did everything in our power to keep Mitch in Brisbane Roar colours."

Nichols, 24, played 125 matches and scored 24 goals in his six seasons with the Roar.

It is another blow for the Roar who recently lost foundation player and midfielder Massimo Murdocca to the Melbourne Heart.

And Ben Halloran has been linked to German club Fortuna Dusseldorf while midfielder Steve Lustica will reportedly return to Croatian club Hajduk Split.

[militiamon]

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/...%20Coach/67581

Phwoar, Merrick + Hernandez. Expect big things of them next season.

I would cancel all my appointments and have a day-long fapfest if this happened to us.

[Jetmaster]

Fully expect Ernie to take Wello to the GF using the cattle at his disposal......take note HSG, you had the chance.

[Jetmaster]

Todays Herald...

Knights and Jets go it alone

By ROBERT DILLON and BRETT KEEBLE
May 22, 2013, 1 a.m.

WESTS Group chief executive Philip Gardner said last night that it would ‘‘make a lot of sense’’ for the Newcastle Knights to move their commercial operations into the Wests Mayfield premises.
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Hunter Sports Group officials confirmed in a statement yesterday that they would move the administration of both the Knights and the Jets from the office in Tudor Street, Newcastle West, they have shared for the past two years.

The two clubs will be based in different, as yet undisclosed, locations.

‘‘The Newcastle Knights and Jets commercial and media operations are set to move to new premises in separate locations,’’ HSG said in the statement.

‘‘The move is in line with most major sporting organisations in Australia and around the world.

‘‘Both club locations will be announced over the coming weeks, which will include a new merchandise outlet and ensure greater interaction with the fans. It is anticipated both moves will be completed during August.’’

Knights chief executive Matt Gidley and chairman Paul Harragon told the Newcastle Herald in February that both clubs were considering shifting into the Turton Road offices adjoining Hunter Stadium, which were the Knights’ headquarters for more than a decade.

At the time, Gidley said the move ‘‘makes sense’’ because it was ‘‘our spiritual home’’ and would help ‘‘re-engage the community’’.

But it appears that is no longer an option because of the cost of refurbishing the former squash courts.

HSG has instead been discussing alternatives, in particular moving the Knights admin staff to Wests Mayfield, where their coaches and players are already based.

It is understood there are function rooms inside the licensed club that could be converted into office space.

Gardner said Wests would be happy to accommodate the Knights if that was their preference.

‘‘We’ve been talking to them about it for a while, but at this stage I don’t believe they have made a final decision,’’ Gardner said.

‘‘We’ve got a fair bit of space there and, when you consider that Wayne [Bennett] and his coaching staff are already based there, it would certainly make a lot of sense to have the administration close by. But, as far as I’m aware, they are still considering their options.’’

Gidley said last night that the Knights would ‘‘hopefully be in a position to make an announcement in the near future’’.

Jets coach Gary van Egmond and his staff will also need to move by August as they currently use offices in the Tudor Street building.

The Herald has been told HSG has already made initial inquiries about securing office space for the Jets’ coaching and football staff at the University of Newcastle.
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That would make logistical sense as the Jets’ training base is at Ray Watt Oval, in the grounds of the university’s Callaghan campus.

Separating the two clubs would appear to represent a shift in owner Nathan Tinkler’s original vision.

‘‘There is no doubt I see synergies in combining off-field administration and medical for the two clubs,’’ Tinkler said in November 2010.

‘‘Their seasons barely overlap, so that provides good ability to fully utilise staff to cover both codes."

Not sure of the reasons for this, surely not cost cutting as it would be more expensive....maybe the Knights have had enough of GVE too !

[Grimario]

Clearly paving the way for Stinkler to cut his losses and drop the Jerks.

[Pico]

FFA boss David Gallop swings the axe as national teams boss John Boultbee departs

Tom Smithies
The Daily Telegraph
May 22, 2013 12:00AM



Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop has swung the axe. Picture: Nic Gibson. Source: The Daily Telegraph

CONCERN over the future of the Socceroos has claimed its first victim following the departure of national teams boss John Boultbee after almost eight years in charge.

Boultbee, the administrator responsible for managing all the men and women's national teams but primarily the Socceroos, will leave at the end of the qualifying campaign for next year's World Cup after telling Football Federation CEO David Gallop that he plans to stand for the presidency of rowing's international governing body, FISA.

Though that position was viewed as incompatible with his role at FFA, Boultbee has long held senior roles in rowing at both national and international level.

Gallop has shown increasing concern since his arrival in December at the management of the Socceroos and the national teams unit, and Boultbee's departure is likely to lead to a shake-up in the way it is run.

Boultbee, who was brought in by Frank Lowy and John O'Neill in 2004, is a member of FISA's executive committee, on the board of Rowing Australia and a steward of the Henley Regatta.

It comes with the Socceroos locked in a desperate battle to qualify for the World Cup next year and facing three defining qualifiers next month against Japan, Jordan and Iraq.

Realistically, Australia need to win at least their two remaining home games, against Jordan and Iraq, to avoid third place and a succession of play-offs -- or even miss out completely on a place at a third consecutive World Cup.

But there has also been deep concern right up to board level at FFA over the Socceroos' "brand''.

The players themselves were shown internal research last year charting their slide in the public conscience.

Though the switch to qualifying for the World Cup through Asia has produced a far longer and more challenging pathway, crucial fixtures have failed to engage with the public and there has been a knock-on effect on ticket sales.

It's understood Gallop met Osieck earlier this year and made it clear he wanted regular performance reports from the veteran German coach, who under previous chief executive Ben Buckley had substantially more autonomy.

"There are lots of exciting things happening, with the Young Socceroos going to the World Cup, the Socceroos on the verge of qualifying, a new Matildas regime, FFA taking over management of the AIS program and a new version of the national curriculum imminent,'' Boultbee said yesterday.

"So it's a pretty good time to refresh the national teams unit.''

In A-League news, Brisbane Roar are poised to unveil the signing of former Manchester United and Perth midfielder Liam Miller today.

Miller left Glory this month after failing to agree terms on a new deal.

Meanwhile, A-League chiefs will today unveil next season's draw. Sydney FC are guaranteed to host two derbies against the Wanderers.

So was he pushed or did he jump, seems to suggest that he was cut loose, but then all this rowing stuff is thrown in too. Either way Gallop will be able to start shaping the organisation hopefully he does a good job of it.

[joel31]

We're playing Sydney opening week of the season
http://www.foxsports.com.au/football...-1226648053411

[sammydog]

Clearly paving the way for Stinkler to cut his losses and drop the Jerks.

I wouldn't be surprised if its paving the way to get rid of both clubs. I'd imagine we would be the first to go but wouldn't be surprised if both change hands.

[snake]

we're ready for blackmac fc

[hawk]

we're ready for blackmac fc

[Pico]

A-League friendlies involving Manchester United and Liverpool to be shown by Channel 7

Tom Smithies
The Daily Telegraph
May 23, 2013 4:48PM


FFA CEO David Gallop pictured in December while confirming the visit of Manchester United to play an A-League All Stars team in July. Source: AFP

THE A-League's free-to-air presence has increased after Channel 7 secured the rights to show both Manchester United's visit to Sydney to face the A-League All-Stars on July 20 and Liverpool's game against Melbourne Victory four days after.

The combined deals, which industry sources estimate to be worth close to $2m, came after Fox Sports, who had first and last refusal on both games, opted to pass.

It means an A-League presence on free-to-air TV for the first time since Channel Ten showed David Beckham's LA Galaxy against Sydney FC in 2007.

The deal with Channel 7 comes in the wake of a broadcast deal for the whole A-League starting with the coming season that has one game a week, every Friday night, shown on SBS, as well as all five games each weekend broadcast on Fox Sports.

It's believed that Channel Ten also bid to show the two showpiece games in July, which were sold independently of each other, but were outbid by Channel 7, despite its broadcast of AFL every Saturday night.

It's believed FFA CEO David Gallop will be on the Sunrise programme tomorrow morning to formally announce the deal.

Wonder if they will have this shown ive on 7, or if they will shift it over to 7two or 7mate. Ten would have been a much better fit.

[sammydog]

Better not end up with Bruce Mcavany commentating.

[belchardo]

midnight kick-off then?

[380]

Better not end up with Bruce Mcavany commentating.

Delicious !!!!.

[Jeterpool]

Delicious !!!!.

Bloke will call behinds if it goes wide of the post

[Jetmaster]

Time for Paul Wade to come out of mothballs again.

[plague]

Time for Paul Wade to come out of mothballs again.

this guy.
+ token efnik.
+ chick to do celebrity spotting and mindless drivel. Probably Rebecca Wilson.

Sorted.

[Bon]

this guy.
+ token efnik.
+ chick to do celebrity spotting and mindless drivel. Probably Rebecca Wilson.

Sorted.

I imagined they would get Johanna Griggs.. There was a point in time where they had her doing EVERYTHING..