Soccer: Rufer leaving the field to youngsters

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Soccer great Wynton Rufer has called it quits, bringing the curtain down on one of the most glorious careers in New Zealand sport.

The decision to retire was not unexpected, considering the stand-off between Rufer and Football Kingz coach Kevin Fallon over his training regime.

At a hastily called press conference in Auckland today, Rufer said: "It is not that hard, being realistic, knowing I am going to be 39 this month.

"It's time to move on because of the change in the coaching situation, which the club couldn't help."

Rufer had said he had signed a contract with previous coach Mike Petersen which allowed him three training sessions with the team and two personal sessions a week with the club's physical trainer.

When Fallon took over, he insisted that all players were to attend every team training.

In a brief statement after an earlier meeting between Rufer and Football Kingz chairman Paul Smart, the club said: "Wynton Rufer, Oceania's player of the century and New Zealand's most successful soccer export, has decided to make way and allow for the development of younger players at the club.

"He also wants to focus more fully on his job with soccer youth development."

In the same statement, Rufer said: "I am grateful to Sky Television for their contribution to soccer in New Zealand. I will remain a fan of the Kingz forever."

Rufer played for Grasshoppers in Switzerland and later Werder Bremen in the German Bundesliga. His last overseas club was Jef United in Japan's J-League.

He played 39 games for the All Whites.

Rufer's last match for the Kingz was the away game against Sydney United on November 9.

He started twice this season, but played only one full game - away to Wollongong.

His last home game was against Perth Glory when he again came on as a substitute during the 7-2 thrashing at the hands of the NSL leaders at Ericsson Stadium.

That was the game which led to Petersen's decision to quit and subsequently led to Fallon's appointment.

Rufer played in 19 of 29 games for the Kingz last season, scoring six goals - a tally beaten only by Dennis Ibrahim's 12.

Rufer's retirement leaves Levent Osman, Jonathan Perry and Riki Van Steeden as the only players who turned out in the Kingz' first National Soccer League game against Carlton in the 1999-2000 season as present squad members.

Kingz chief executive Chris Turner said Rufer's contract "ceases immediately."

There was no suggestion that Rufer had been paid out.

The issue of attendance at training sessions had not been discussed once Rufer made it clear to Smart that he was retiring.

Fallon, who had been insistent from the time he took over that there would be no favours for any player when it came to training, said he "wished him all the best with his youth training programmes."

"They are much-needed. And he has the expertise to make them work."

Turner said Rufer's decision would "free up a little more money" and that this would be used in the club's No 1 priority of finding a centre-back.

"While we have looked at players here, it seems likely we will go offshore," Turner said. "We have already had some feelers out in Britain and will continue to look there and elsewhere.

"We respect Wynton's decision to retire. There is no doubt that his signing with the Kingz was one of the best things that happened at the club and gave the public the chance to see one of this country's greatest-ever sports people."

New Zealand Soccer chief executive Bill MacGowan paid tribute to the role Rufer has played in the game here.

"There is no doubt Wynton was an icon, especially in Europe, where he played at the highest level," MacGowan said.

"Unfortunately, we did not see enough of him in an All Whites shirt.

"He was a fantastic player and set a benchmark we can only hope other young New Zealand players will aspire to.

"We wish him well and are pleased that his decision to retire could open the door for other players looking to join the Football Kingz."