Soccer: Coaching duo with shared ambition

Auckland City co-coaches Aaron McFarland (left) and Ramon Tribulietx. Photo / Natalie Slade

Auckland City's new coaching partnership face their first major test this weekend when they lock horns with perennial rivals Waitakere United at Kiwitea St on Sunday.

While Waitakere will turn up with a settled coaching combination, City have gone with a revolutionary pairing following popular Paul Posa's decision to quit after arguably the most successful club coaching stint in New Zealand.

In opting for a co-coaching role by bringing former Central United coach Aaron McFarland in to join Posa's assistant Spaniard Ramon Tribulietx, the club took what many saw as a gamble. The concerns have been allayed with City unbeaten in three ASB Premiership outings this season.

"It is the first time I have been in such a set-up," admitted McFarland. "Philosophically we are very much aligned in our thinking which is key to it working.

"Ramon is absolutely dedicated to football and Auckland City in particular when he is in New Zealand. He spends hours analysing not only our games but those of our opponents. I am certainly learning a lot from him."

Born in Port Vila, in Vanuatu, McFarland, who played a National League season for Team Otago in the late 1990s, had three years as Central United's senior coach after taking their reserve team for a season.

McFarland insists it is a 50-50 arrangement with Tribulietx looking after much of the organisation of coaching sessions while he takes responsibility for team culture. Selection is mutual.

"So far we have agreed on everything," said McFarland, 38. "We are prepared to stand outside our own egos for the benefit of the team."

The duo face their toughest task on Sunday.

Waitakere captain Jake Butler is back after three weeks of trials in Singapore. City newcomer and key playmaker David Mulligan is due back from Singapore tomorrow but McFarland says it is by no means a given he will play.

"He left right after our game in Wellington last Saturday and gets back on Saturday.

"I'm sure he will want to play but we will have to look closer at how he is before we make a final decision," said McFarland.

Waitakere will put out a settled combination with coach Neil Emblen taking heart from his team's best effort of the season in beating Hawkes Bay United last Sunday.

Emblen is set to stay with the team who did so well in Napier.

The first full round will be played on Sunday.

In the game in Wellington, Team Wellington has the advantage of two Premiership outings but in Aaron Clapham, Canterbury United have one of the most influential players in the league.

Hawkes Bay and Waikato FC - away to YoungHeart Manawatu and Otago United respectively - also have the advantage of having already played a game which could tip things in their favour.