Football: Andy Boyens frontrunner as national U17s coach

former All White Andy Boyens. Photo / photosport.nz

New Zealand Football are set to take a punt with a relatively untried coach for one of the most important mentoring roles in the country.

The Herald on Sunday understands former All White Andy Boyens has emerged as the frontrunner as national Under-17s coach.

The position has been vacant since Danny Hay's departure last month. Hay took the youth team to the 2015 Under-17 World Cup in Chile where they qualified for the knockout stages before being knocked out by a 94th-minute goal against Brazil. He was also in charge for last year's World Cup in India, where they finished third in Group B after a draw with Turkey and losses to Paraguay and Mali. Hay stepped down to focus on his work with Eastern Suburbs.

Hay's assistant Chris Zoricich has also chosen to move on, and has taken a first team role with Western Springs FC.

Boyens appeared 19 times for the All Whites, and also played for some of the biggest clubs in the MLS. He had three seasons with New York Red Bulls, a stint with Toronto FC and had one season with Los Angeles Galaxy when they won the title in 2012, although he was limited to two league games that season.

After retiring as a player, he joined NZF in the role of youth football development manager in 2016, before being appointed the acting technical director in February last year. His coaching experience is limited, although he has always shown an interest in that area. He had a term as a coach at the Galaxy Academy while he was based in Los Angeles, and was a player coach at Forrest Hill United in the 2016 season. Boyens assumed the top job in 2017, but the North Shore side were relegated from the Northern Premier League.

If Boyens does get the job, he will be on a steep learning curve. The national Under-17 role is crucial in terms of developing players, at a time where potential and promise need to turn into something a lot more tangible. It's an age which is often the bridge between 1st XI football and senior club level, and a time where technical input is vital, with a delicate balance between results and development.

Boyens would also need strong relationships with the various academies around the country as they traditionally provide plenty of players at that level.

It's also believed Team Wellington coach Jose Figueira is one of the prime contenders to land the New Zealand Under-20s position. The role was previously held by Darren Bazeley, but the former Watford player and All Whites' assistant coach has followed Anthony Hudson to Colorado. Bazeley's former assistant, Neil Emblen, is also close to sealing a job at the Rapids.

Figueira has achieved great success in the capital but his relationship with NZF was strained in 2015, when he was sacked as Under-17s coach a few months out from that year's World Cup.