Soccer: Phoenix coach announces departure

Luciano Trani talks to Paul Ifill at a Phoenix training. Photo / Getty Images

Wellington Phoenix soccer coach Ricki Herbert will need to find a new assistant coach after Luciano Trani decided to move back to his native Australia for family reasons.

Trani, who has been with the Phoenix for the past two A-League seasons, will take up a coaching role with Adelaide United but said that only came about after the decision to return home had been made.

The last two months have been traumatic for Trani with the death of his mother along with his father being admitted to hospital.

It had also become more and more difficult for him living in Wellington while his wife Melinda remained in their Melbourne home.

"The past two years have been a fantastic experience for me and I will always be grateful to Ricki [Herbert] and Terry [Serepisos] for giving me the opportunity," Trani said before boarding his plane today.

"It was a huge challenge, and taking someone on from Australia was a risk for the club in some ways, but I like to think myself and Gouldy (goalkeeping coach Jonathan Gould) have repaid the club's faith by helping it reach the finals for the past two seasons."

Trani said it had been a privilege to work with Herbert and had helped him develop as a coach.

"Ricki showed faith in myself and Gouldy when he was often away on All Whites duty at the Confederations Cup and World Cup, as well as some friendly internationals.

"He also gave me the chance to work with some of the All Whites, which was fantastic."

Herbert said Trani would be missed at the club.

"Luch has been incredibly loyal and has done a great job," Herbert said.

"He will be sorely missed but I totally understand that he needs to be closer to home during what has been a very difficult period for him."

Chief executive Nathan Greenham shared the coach's sentiments.

"We regard Luciano's departure as a big loss. He has been a key part of the club over the past two seasons," he said.

- NZPA