KEY POINTS:
Not long after Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert touched down in Wellington on Saturday, his Perth Glory counterpart Ron Smith was also on the move - out the door.
The West Australian club is due to hold a mid-season review this week. Smith did not even last until then.
Within hours of Friday night's 1-0 loss to the Phoenix, the drums were beating and Smith, who took the reins in July last year, was yesterday on his bike.
He has been replaced by his assistant David Mitchell.
The coaching merry-go-round at Glory never stops spinning.
Englishman Steve McMahon did not last long. He was replaced by Alan Vest who had been a long-time assistant, dating back to the old NSL days before he was replaced by Smith, who had been working for the national body.
Given Perth had gone 18 games - and nearly a year - without a win it was little surprise that Smith followed Sydney's Branko Culina on to the coaching scrapheap.
Smith's departure came hours after out-of-touch striker Mate Dragicevic had been sent packing.
Yet, a little surprisingly, Perth had lost only one game in 10 at home before falling to the Phoenix.
In a brief statement yesterday, the club said: "Ron Smith agreed to a request to stand down."
Herbert went into Friday's game under some pressure but without any suggestion his job was on the line.
In a game best described as "not pretty", the Phoenix snapped their Black October losing streak with Daniel's second half goal - neatly set up by captain Tim Brown - enough for the points and to rekindle playoff hopes.
"I thought we were worthy of the three points," said Herbert, who backed off any talk about making the top four [and playoffs].
"I don't think we should be setting our sights on the four at this stage.
"Arguably, after round 11 the leading team could be on 17 points. Last season at this stage, the top team [Melbourne Victory] were on 28. We are on 11."
A win over Queensland Roar in Brisbane on Sunday would put the Phoenix right back in the mix.
"The players will have a couple of days off. It was a tough trip.
"They will train once on Tuesday and a couple of times on Wednesday and Thursday.
"We will fly over on Saturday," said Herbert.
He will name the team for Brisbane on Friday.
