Phoenix rose from football ashes thanks to honest talking Aussie

Tony Pignata. Photo / Getty Images

Football in New Zealand was in the last-chance saloon before the Wellington Phoenix came along, says outgoing chief executive Tony Pignata.

The Australian was in charge during a three-year period when the Phoenix rose from rank outsiders to genuine title contenders in the A League.

As well as developing a competitive team alongside coach Ricki Herbert, Pignata introduced some razzmatazz to the Phoenix set-up.

Using footballing contacts, he enticed David Beckham's LA Galaxy team to Wellington to play the Phoenix in 2007. And he helped secure a clash against top South American club side Boca Juniors later this year.

And Pignata said the Phoenix needed to succeed for football to survive as a credible sport in New Zealand.

"I think the Phoenix was the last chance football had in New Zealand," he said.

Pignata admitted he had clashed with owner Terry Serepisos over some decisions - and may have been one of the few people to say 'no' to the property tycoon.

He said: "We have had our fair share of issues but it can't all be one-sided. I appreciate he stood up on certain things like whether we should have certain players.

"But we have never had any big fallouts, never. Sometimes he might say 'how about this player' and I would say 'I don't think so'. I get the final say-so but we always got on very well."

Pignata, who quit to spend time with his family in Melbourne, said: "He is quite an honest guy, approachable. He always admitted he had no idea of football and how to run it but he built a good team around him."

He said two Auckland-based sides, the Kingz and the Knights, failed in the Australian league because they didn't connect with fans.

He said: "I am not sure they chanelled enough into the community. The way I wanted to run a club is that it's not all about the players playing. I mean not everyone can kick the goals. Even the carpark attendant at the stadium - everyone plays a part."