Ernie Merrick, who steered Melbourne Victory to two A-League soccer titles, is the new coach of the Wellington Phoenix.
The 60-year-old Scotsman, whose last job was as Hong Kong national coach, was named as the successor to Ricki Herbert by the New Zealand club on Monday.
He has signed a two-year deal with an option for a third.
Twice named A-League coach of the year, Merrick led the Victory to titles in 2007 and 2009 before he was sacked in March 2011.
“Ernie has an unrivalled record in the A-League,” said Phoenix chairman Rob Morrison.
The club had carried out an exhaustive selection process to recruit the new coach and Morrison said Merrick’s presentation stood out.
“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.”
Merrick, who made three grand finals in four seasons during his time with the Victory, has a task to turn around the Phoenix, who finished bottom of the A-League table this season, but said he was up for the challenge.
“My coaching philosophy has always been about winning. That’s what I will be bringing to the Phoenix,” he said.
Two or three player signings would be his first priority, but added that he wanted to bring on the club’s young players.
“There is great potential at the club and there must be a lot of talented young players in New Zealand to draw on.”
Merrick takes up the helm on June 5.
– Age: 60
– Born: Edinburgh
– Melbourne Victory coach Dec 2004-Mar 2011
– Two A-League titles – 2007 and 2009
– Twice A-League manager of the year – 2007 and 2010
– In charge for 151 games
– National coach of Hong Kong Dec 2011-Oct 2012
Mazzalenko
Guest
Is this the same Wellington Phoenix whose club owners during season 2012/2013 wanted them to be more like Barcelona which was a suggestion which ultimately brought about the demise of Rikki Herbert? I agree with the people who think he is a recycled old fogger.....Wellington should have looked elsewhere in their so called 'world wide search' and he will be found out quickly. Lets not forget he last coached after 2010/2011 season when he was sacked after the first of Victory's ACL games where we got thrashed which incidentally is a competition that Merrick has not given a hoot about in the past? Wellington now become the 3rd A-League team in a row who have done a 'world wide search' for a new coach only to disappoint and sign someone no one thought of. At least unlike Victory or Sydney they chose not to go for their youth coach but rather a coach who does not care much for youth players either!!!
Haaaa Ha
Guest
Debatable 7NA
mahonjt
Guest
The youth team was managed by Football Federation Victoria - not the Melbourne Victory Football Club. Ernie had nothing, literaly nothing to do with it.
Wat Le Fark
Roar Rookie
I'm just talking A-League.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Really easy to distinguish when we only use A League facts. Otherwise I don't believe he would hold that mantle.
Wat Le Fark
Roar Rookie
Ernie Merrick is the A-League’s most successful football manager and has won more titles and awards than anyone else, including Arnie or Ange: 2006–07 A-League Premiership 2008–09 A-League Premiership 2009–10 A-League Premiership Runner Up 2006–07 A-League Championship 2008–09 A-League Championship 2009–10 A-League Championship Runner Up 2008 A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup A-League Coach of the Year 2006–07 A-League Coach of the Year 2009–10
NUFCMVFC
Roar Guru
Well done Ernie I actually think his image got unfairly trampled upon by a number of Heart people who made some daft citation of Merrick's so-called "boring" football (I recall MVFC were the standout entertaining team in season 2 in particular) and not to mention this "long ball" idea despite the fact we have one of the best creative midfielders the league has yet seen in Carlos Hernandez This, despite the fact that in six years he guided MVFC to two Premierships, two CHampionships and a 3rd Grand Final appearance, not to mention another near 3rd Premiership until the last day, so he is one of the most successful coaches despite the Sydney football media fawning a little excessively over Lavicka etc Hope he does well with Wellington, except for when they play MVFC of course
Realfootball
Guest
Hard not to be disappointed. Not to say Merrick didn't deserve the gig, but it would have been great to see new coaching blood introduced to the League and a change of style at Wellington. I was hoping that the Nix owners would show a little more imagination instead of going for a coach who is, in effect, Ricki mark 2. One thing is for sure - Merrick will need to recruit far better than he did in his last 2 years at Victory.
Ballymore
Guest
In thought / hoped they'd go for ex Reading manager Steve Coppell. Apart from Adelaide (JG) and Perth (AE) , almost every coaching appointment in the last 12-24 months has been someone recycled or someone internal. SYD - IC, FF (1 internal, 1 recycle) MV - AP (1 recycle) BNE - RV, MM (1 internal, 1 recycle) WP - EM (1 recycle) MHT - JA (1 internal) ADE - JK (1 recycle) NEWC - GVE (1 recycle) All the internals were 'cheap' options that failed (IC and RV) or are failing (JA).
midfielder
Guest
Lol ..
Fred
Roar Rookie
Good luck Ernie, nix and him are probably a good fit
Midfielder
Guest
K Looks good ... the coach is putting his team in place hold the faith...
Stevo
Guest
Juric has got a kick like a mule!!!! I think he'll be 1000% better than Dino The Dinosaur
Cameron
Roar Guru
Will be a very interesting off season. I hear fixtures will be out soon and the Roar could also have a new design.
Towser
Guest
Jeff not Geoff.
hog
Guest
Not a bad move, Merrick knows the A-League and importantly knows Wellington, so knows what he's getting into. Big priority will be signing a couple of quality players which they lacked last year.
Towser
Guest
kellett_1992 Dont forget Rado to Sydney & Geoff Hopkins to youth coach. Looks like Mike Mulvey wants to put his own stamp on the Roar. Interesting to see who he signs in the off season.
AGO74
Guest
Admittedly, he's about as interesting as a coffee stain but having won 2 championships and making another GF, it's a bit harsh to call him fodder.
Franko
Guest
Take it easy, was more a *joke about Haliti, Covic, Milicic, Popovic, and now Juric all coming from Sydney United. Great to see them recruiting from their heartland, and credit to Sydney United too. Smile buddy :)
Cameron
Roar Guru
Sightly off topic but in line with off season moves (players and coaches)... I know every club has their changes and movements but my god is Brisbane Roar making some sweeping changes: Matt Jurman - Sydney fc Stef Nijland - Dutch club PSV Eindhoven James Meyer - no contract extension Mitch Nichols - Melbourne victory Massimo Murdocca - Melbourne heart Ben Halloran - linked with Dusseldorf Steve Lustica - reportedly return to Croatian club Hajduk Split.