Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay is no longer interested in becoming the next All Whites coach, saying “that ship has sailed”.
Talay was informed on Tuesday that his application for the role was not successful, with New Zealand Football’s preferred candidate, Canada coach John Herdman, reportedly close to signing adeal.
However, NZ Football were sent back to square one after Herdman turned down the offer to be the new All Whites coach.
Talay, who along with Herdman was one of five candidates to interview for the job, said he won’t be interested if NZ Football came crawling back with another offer.
“Was I disappointed not to be able to get that role? Yes and no. Was there a better candidate than me? Yes there was,” Talay said.
“I think NZ Football made a decision that was best for them at the time, but that’s got nothing to do with me, I was just one of those candidates and was one that wasn’t preferred for the role.
“[Herdman] has been there, has more experience than me and has been to a World Cup with Canada, so obviously he was a step ahead and there was a better candidate.”
Phoenix head coach Ufuk Talay. Photo / Photosport
NZ Football announced on Wednesday that the appointment process had stalled, with negotiations with the leading contender put on hold due to a family health issue, which resulted in Under-20s coach Darren Bazeley being given the job on an interim basis for the upcoming series with China in March.
NZ Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell said the preferred candidate was a standout contender, with the deal “all but done” before personal issues intervened.
Though Pragnell wouldn’t be drawn on identities, the Herald understands that Herdman was the prime target.
Several sources told the Herald that Herdman applied for the role when it was first advertised last year, and there have been ongoing discussions with the 47-year-old.
Canada coach John Herdman. Photo / Getty
However, the former Football Ferns coach released a statement on Thursday saying he was staying with Canada.
“Success at this level will always invite opportunity. I’ve received several offers in recent months, all of which I have turned down, including an offer from New Zealand Football,” the statement said.
“To our Canadian players and our fans, I want to reiterate my commitment to Canada Soccer and the growing of this program. At the World Cup in Qatar, our men showed the world that they belong at that level. I’m not going anywhere. We still have a job to do, and the objective is to take this team to the next level in 2026.”
A statement from Canada Soccer's Men's National Team Head Coach John Herdman 🍁 pic.twitter.com/Qnung905Hj
Herdman is a popular figure in Canada. The trajectory of the team is tracking upwards, with their potential shown at the World Cup in Doha despite the results (three defeats) in a group that featured two teams that reached the last four (Morocco and Croatia) and 2018 semifinalists Belgium.
After Herdman’s decision to decline the offer, NZ Football released a statement addressing the “media speculation” for the position.
“New Zealand Football remain in positive dialogue with our preferred candidate for the permanent All Whites head coach role,” the statement read.
“We will not be commenting on media speculation for the position. We will also not be commenting on individual candidates.
“Our immediate focus is on our upcoming All Whites and men’s U-23 games in Auckland and Wellington next month, as well as supporting interim All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley in the role.
“We look forward to welcoming the Chinese senior and U-23 national teams to Aotearoa New Zealand and kicking off our Fifa World Cup 2026 and Paris 2024 Olympics cycle.”
Earlier this month, Mumbai City coach Des Buckingham also opted out of the race to become the next All Whites coach to stay with the Indian club.
