Soccer: Nevin takes up the gauntlet as Knights coach

New Zealand Knights head coach Paul Nevin faces a huge challenge on and off the field in his new role.

Nevin, 36, confirmed yesterday as the replacement for dumped assistant coach Tommy Mason, will work under football manager John Adshead on an initial one-year contract.

Nevin's appointment ended speculation the Knights would look across the Tasman in their search to bolster their management team but Adshead warned "there's more to come".

Adshead said he understood the need of having an Australian input, adding that "nothing has been rushed in appointing Nevin".

"We are very aware that we can't be outside the [A-League] top four," said Adshead. "We are fully aware of the responsibility we have.

"I looked domestically in considering NZFC coaches like Colin Tuaa and Declan Edge and even All Whites assistant coaches Stu Jacobs and Brian Turner.

"But when I considered the pressure we would be under if we lost the first two matches next season, I felt Paul was someone who has been there."

At the same time, Adshead admitted a coach from the Hyundai A-League - citing Queensland Roar's Miron Bleiberg as a possible example - would "know the Australian traps".

"This guy [Nevin] comes from a different direction.

"He has a Uefa pro licence which probably makes him the most qualified coach in New Zealand," said Adshead. "I am very happy with the whole set-up."

Adshead admitted the coaching benchmark remains the relationship he had with Kevin Fallon in taking the All Whites to the 1982 World Cup.

The challenge now is to win the soccer public over in the same way.

The decision to appoint Nevin was ratified by the board but with the greatest input from the "money men" - benefactor Brian Katzen, chairman Anthony Lee and chief executive Steve O'Hara who made yesterday's announcement.

Nevin and his New Zealand wife and two young children have recently moved to Auckland after he had worked with English Premier League club Fulham as manager of their reserve team and academy manager.

"Paul brings a wealth of experience for a relatively young man," said Adshead. "My discussions with him have revealed a coach with thoroughly modern methods and a great ability to run quality sessions."

The biggest challenge facing the pair - other than convincing the fans that they have made the right decision in again bringing in a coach "from the other side" - is now finding players of the quality they need to turn sagging fortunes around.

"I have come here to win," said Nevin. "We will be looking around the world for players of the calibre we need to do that."

Adshead said that "all sorts" had turned out for the first of this week's trials.

The trials drew Brazilians, Bulgarians, Australians (including some Aboriginals) and New Zealanders who all went through their paces.

"Next week our attention will switch to the All Whites," said Adshead. "I want to get out and find players better than [highly rated A-League stars] Brosque, Baird, Petrovski and Gumprecht for the Knights.

"But there is no hurry."