Soccer: Auckland City go for parallel coaching formation

Paul Posa. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Auckland City have broken with tradition in going away from the normal coach/assistant coach roles in appointing Ramon Tribulietx and Aaron McFarland as co-coaches for the New Zealand Football Championship.

With Paul Posa ruling himself out through business and family commitments, the club mounted an extensive recruitment drive before settling on the duo who have close ties with the club's Kiwitea St headquarters.

Spaniard Tribulietx was Posa's assistant for the past two seasons and filled that role at December's successful Fifa Club World Cup campaign in Abu Dhabi after they had steered City to the NZFC/O-League double.

Away from New Zealand, Tribulietx, 37, who has an impressive analytical background, spends much time in Barcelona, the city of his birth.

McFarland, also 37, was born in Port Vila, Vanuatu, and has long been associated with City's sister club Central United who he coached to their 2005 and 2007 Chatham Cup triumphs and the 2007 Northern Premier League crown. He was also assistant coach for the New Zealand under-17 team in Nigeria last year.

City chairman Ivan Vuksich is excited at the co-coaches concept.

"Both Ramon and Aaron are highly-skilled young coaches with excellent credentials," said Vuksich. "They are familiar with the surroundings at Kiwitea St and we are confident they have what it takes to lead our team to success in the New Zealand Football Championship and Oceania Champions League this season."

Meanwhile, former All Whites captain Chris Zoricich has joined Jose Figueira in taking charge of the club's academy side. Paul Gothard, who shared the goalkeeping duties with Jacob Spoonley last season, has taken the goalkeeping coaching duties at City following Simon Eaddy's appointment to that role at New Zealand Football.

All Whites defender/midfielder David Mulligan, 28, will return to Kiwitea St for the first time in more than a decade after a long spell in Britain before joining the Wellington Phoenix.

Already signed from last season are Alex Feneridis, Spoonley and Adam McGeorge while they will be missing last season's captain Ivan Vicelich (while he plays in China), Chad Coombes (in Britain) and Greg Uhlmann (retired).