Soccer: Kingz refuse to be rushed over coach

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The Football Kingz will get through this week - including tomorrow night's away game against Sydney United - before considering their coaching options for the rest of the NSL season.

Club chief executive Chris Turner said no decision on a replacement for Mike Petersen was likely before next week.

"Nothing has changed," said Turner. "We are still working through things and deciding exactly what we want. We would like to have something in place by next week but I can't say at this stage whether that will happen.

"Officially, we are working through the process of deciding what we want."

Turner would not comment on strong rumours that Kevin Fallon was in the coaching frame or whether he had been approached. Fallon, too, said he would prefer not to comment.

Andy Theoklitos, suspended from his role as team manager since Petersen left, is not certain when he will return to Melbourne.

"I'm just waiting on the [Kingz] board to make a final decision," he said. .

"I expect to meet either Chris Turner or the board by the end of the week to sort things out."

It seems certain Chris Jackson, signed on a week-by-week contract, and Wynton Rufer will travel to Australia this afternoon, with one of the other temporary signings - Tim Stevens, Lance Eeson or Leigh Kenyon - joining the party.

Jackson should be in the starting line-up.

His midfield experience and determined, 90-minute approach is something the Kingz would welcome.