Football: Tribulietx slight doesn't stack up

Auckland City coach Ramon Tribulietx is a known quantity. Photo / Michael Craig

Auckland City coach Ramon Tribulietx was not granted a formal interview for the All Whites job.

It might come as a surprise to many, given Tribulietx's achievements in recent years.

He has established himself as the stand-out domestic coaching figure, and has done things on the world stage with Auckland City that are unprecedented for a New Zealand based team.

In 2014 Tribulietx made New Zealand Football's shortlist for the vacant All Whites role, after Ricki Herbert's departure, and was interviewed by the panel. He missed out to Anthony Hudson.

But since then there has been the famous "Miracle in Morocco", where he guided Auckland City to third place at the 2014 Fifa Club World Cup. There have also been three other Oceania Champions League titles, more credible performances at the Club World Cup and the Nike Lunar Cup triumph last year, which included a win over FC Seoul and saw a New Zealand team achieve a rare (perhaps unprecedented) tournament victory in Asia.

But this time he wasn't considered by NZ Football.

"I haven't been involved in the last process but this time he didn't meet the standards so he was not on the short list," said NZ Football technical director Andreas Heraf. "He was on our wider list - because we know him - but meeting the standards [of the pro licence] he could not fulfil that.

"Ramon is a fantastic coach in the country, he had good experience here but he didn't meet our standards. The standard was the pro licence and unfortunately he could not meet that standard.

"But we respect his work in the country and hopefully he will continue because he is one of us."

It's a curious stance. NZ Football have the right to set their own parameters, and they see the pro licence as a tangible, measurable qualification.

It's clearly helpful in assessing unfamiliar overseas candidates, rather than just relying on their CV, an interview and a PowerPoint presentation.

But Tribulietx is a known quantity. His work has been on full display here and across the world since 2010. His qualities are recognised by astute judges here and overseas, and surely he deserved the chance to convey his vision for the All Whites.

He could have also been given an opportunity to explain how he was going to work towards the pro licence, which is difficult to obtain if you are based in New Zealand because the course is not offered here.

That's simply best practice, and due diligence.

The national body have the right to conduct their process how they see fit, but local contenders need to be respected for the work they have done here.

But NZ Football have made their choice, and now the coach they appointed, Fritz Schmid, needs to be given an opportunity to prove his credentials.

Heraf confirmed Schmid was a prime contender as soon as he came on their radar.

"He was one of our guys on the list at the beginning," said Heraf. "I was surprised and I was pleased - 'I know this guy' - and then we sorted out all of these applications. He was on the list, then the shortlist, and then we started with our interviews and at the end he convinced us. He's a really good guy in leadership, how he can deal with players, the whole package.

"The big picture was really good and that's why he's our man."

However, Heraf denied his previous working relationship with Schmid was a factor in the decision.

"Of course I know him because we have been at the same federation in Austria," said Heraf.

"But we are not best friends, we haven't been together all the time, we haven't been in touch."

Heraf said Schmid's final interview tipped the balance.

"He was really well prepared, he had seen a lot of [All Whites'] games, he had even prepared for the Canada game," said Heraf.

"He really wants this and he will do well. He comes from coach education, he wrote a book, he was a journalist.

"His life experience is incredible and his football knowledge is fantastic," said Heraf.