Last-placed Wellington Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick has resigned, the A-League club confirmed on Monday.
Merrick told the players of his decision after Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Adelaide United, which continued their disappointing season which sees them firmly rooted to the bottom of the ladder thanks to their -8 goal difference.
Wellington have registered two wins and six losses from their eight games this season.
Merrick said that with recent results he had taken the team as far as he could.
“I take full responsibility for position the team is currently in.
“I feel that I have not performed well enough as Head Coach, as we have a very strong squad that should be higher up the table.
“It’s therefore the right time for me to step aside and allow someone else to take over. We have a run of home games coming up and I think this will give my successor the best opportunity to take the team forward.
“I’d like to thank everyone at Wellington Phoenix for the past three years and particularly Welnix, the Chairman and the board who have been nothing but supportive during this time.”
Wellington’s disappointment so far in the 2016/17 season comes off the back of a ninth-placed finish in last year’s A-League, which only heaped further pressure on Merrick. He had taken the Phoenix to the finals the year prior thanks to a fourth-placed finish, but bombed out in Week 1.
All this was despite the fact that pre-season the Phoenix were widely thought to have assembled one of the best squads in the club’s history. Signing Gui Finkler and Kosta Barbarouses was supposed to herald success, but the Phoenix have struggled for consistency so far.
Assistant coach Chris Greenacre, who took over the interim job when Rickie Herbert vacated the role, is likely to fill that role again.
At this stage it’s unknown who could be in the running to replace Merrick, though Mark Rudan has been touted as a possible target.
Merrick won an A-League trophy and minor premiership with Melbourne Victory before taking the reins at Phoenix in 2013, replacing Rickie Herbert.
UPDATE
Chris Greenacre and Des Buckingham have been appointed by the Phoenix as the club’s interim head coaches while they search for a full-time replacement for Merrick.
With AAP
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