Ernie Merrick has become the A-League’s first managerial casualty of the season after the Wellington Phoenix coach stood down following his side’s poor start to the campaign.
Phoenix have mustered just two wins from eight outings so far this season. Merrick told his players of his decision after the latest defeat, a 2-0 reverse to Adelaide United on Sunday.
He said it was “the right time” to step aside and allow someone else to take over the reins at Westpac Stadium.
“I take full responsibility for position the team is currently in,” Merrick said after Phoenix confirmed his departure. “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.”
Phoenix currently prop up the A-League ladder, level on six points with Adelaide and Newcastle Jets, but bottom by way of their inferior goal difference.
Merrick’s decision to stand down brings to an end the tenure of the league’s most experienced and successful coach.
During his six years at Melbourne Victory, the 63-year-old won the championship twice and also guided his team to the premiership on two occasions.
A stint in charge of the Hong Kong national side followed before he returned to the A-League with Wellington in 2013, replacing Chris Greenacre, who had temporarily taken the reins following the resignation of Ricki Herbert towards the end of 2012-13.
Phoenix finished bottom that season and Merrick arrived with local hopes high he could turn things around at the club. A ninth-placed finish followed before Merrick gave an indication of what he is capable of, masterminding a surge to the finals a year later.
But last season Phoenix’s form again dipped and another second-last finish, followed by the dismal start to the current campaign, led to Merrick walking away.
Even so, while results may not have matched expectations, the club recognised the value of his work on team culture and development of youth players over the past three years.
“Ernie has been a consummate professional since the day he arrived at Wellington Phoenix and was instrumental in overhauling the way the team performed on the field and how it conducted itself off the field,” a Phoenix statement read.
“He played a significant role in the development of young players through the Phoenix academy, who are now breaking into the first team and representing New Zealand at international level.”
Merrick also drew praise from fellow professionals such as Graham Arnold.
“He’s the most successful and experienced coach in the A-League in terms of trophies and games,” said Arnold.
“It’s (Phoenix coach) got to be the hardest job in the A-League.
“The travel is very difficult but then having to deal with the international FIFA windows and losing players.
“In the first eight or nine games he’s lost players for two games ... they’re fatigued, then you lose and it just rattles players’ confidence and it’s hard to bring everything back together, especially in the public eye.”
Wellington have named assistant coaches Chris Greenacre and Des Buckingham as joint interim head coaches while they undertake a recruitment process for Merrick’s replacement.
