Soccer: Another City title would aid All Whites job bid

Ramon Tribulietx. Photo / Getty Images

There might be as many eyes on the manager as on the players when Auckland City attempt to clinch a fourth straight OFC Champions League crown today.

Auckland and Vanuatu champions Amicale will take a 1-1 scoreline into this afternoon's second leg at Kiwitea St, but the home side's coach has more on his mind than sealing a national and continental double.

Ramon Tribulietx, who guided Auckland to the ASB Premiership trophy this season, has made clear his desires of assuming the vacant All Whites coaching position, and another prize in an already-successful stint at Sandringham will hardly hurt his chances.

But it's the style in which Auckland City have racked up the silverware that makes Tribulietx an attractive proposition, especially if the national body are short of the budget needed to haul in a bigger fish.

The Spaniard's possession-based game has revolutionised Auckland City and, blessed with a golden generation of attacking talent, it's intriguing to wonder whether he could do likewise with the All Whites.

New Zealand, perhaps more so now than ever before, appear equipped to play with the ball at their feet, making use of talents such as Michael McGlinchey, Marco Rojas and Ryan Thomas. Which is where Tribulietx comes in, a coach whose teams aim to keep the ball and break down the opposition.

It's one thing doing it with Auckland City, an all-conquering team before his arrival four years ago, but Tribulietx is confident he can work his magic on the international stage.

"The way we've played the last four years has been very much focused on possession and, if you look back to where we first started playing this way, we've come pretty far," he said. "I'm prepared to take on that challenge. But it's really up to New Zealand Football — I don't have much of a say."

Nor would Tribulietx have great input over the player pool. While at Auckland he can recruit to suit his style, the 41-year-old would have to mould the current crop of All Whites.

Whether he gets the opportunity is closer to being known, with the job advertised last week. NZF have received more than 50 applications in the search for Ricki Herbert's replacement and applications close on May 30, the same day the All Whites meet South Africa at Mt Smart Stadium.

Tribulietx's chances will only be aided by another free-flowing performance today - not to mention another trophy.