Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert says he is in no rush to appoint an assistant for the upcoming Hyundai A-League season.
Herbert has been flying solo so far in pre-season after the departure of previous assistants Luciano Trani and Jonathan Gould at the end of last season.
While the rest of his backroom staff is coming together now following the appointment of former Notts County strength and conditioning coach Lee Taylor and physiotherapist Wayne Roberts, Herbert believes there is no pressing need to bring in a new assistant just yet.
“When I think we need to keep adding to that staff then I’ll bring people on board,” Herbert said.
“I’ll appoint somebody into the coaching staff. Whether that’s an assistant, as a title, or just somebody who is part of the staff, I’m working through that.”
“I’ve got a couple of exciting ideas that I think we could look at. The same with the goal keeping.”
“Any additional staff I would say could be a week or a couple of weeks away. I know who I want and when I want them and I’ll get them.”
Herbert is adopting a similar approach with player recruitment.
He may only have 14 players on the books at this stage but aside from new recruits Lucas Pantelis and Jimmy Downey, they are the core of the team that took them to the A-League playoffs last season.
Saka – an Adelaide-based Nigerian – and former North Queensland defender Jack Hingert have been on trial during the past few weeks.
Hingert has now returned to Australia.
“He’s got some other options as well. If he comes he comes,” Herbert said of the former Fury man.
“If he doesn’t he doesn’t. It’s not because we don’t want him but you’re always going to be fighting against other clubs.”
Four more triallists are expected in the New Zealand capital next week and they will get a chance to press their claims in a series of games against New Zealand club sides in the coming weeks.
Herbert is looking for a goalkeeper, striker and attacking midfielder.
He also needs to sign the required three under-20 players with a fullback, central defender and midfielder on his shopping list.
He will cast his eye over the New Zealand Under-20 players in their upcoming World Cup.
“I’ve said I’ll watch them through the World Cup. Let’s give them a shot,” Herbert said.
“If I can find an under-21 player who has a lot of experience either in the A-League or at a professional football club then I’d really consider signing them now.”
“I want to keep the squad around 20 then if we need to go to the window in January we can.”
“I kind of know what I want and who I want and the type of players that I want and I’m going to take my time to do it.”
