Soccer: Kingz move slowly despite mad scramble to take over from Petersen

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The scramble to grab the reins left dangling by departed Football Kingz coach Mike Petersen turned into a frenzy yesterday.

Chief executive Chris Turner said he had "applications coming out my ears" but said there would be no quick-fix solution.

"Before we even start looking at names - and we will not be saying who has or has not applied - we have to decide what type of role we want filled," said Turner.

While the secrecy remains, Turner did say stand-in coach Shane Rufer was keen to continue and would be considered.

Former international coach Kevin Fallon is also interested. He says he remains "committed to what the Kingz are doing" and would be keen to help.

Miramar Rangers coach Stu Jacobs was another name being bandied about yesterday, as was All Whites assistant coach Mick Waitt.

Further afield, former Carlton coach Stuart Munro, who apparently was close to getting the job first time round, is an obvious contender. He is assistant coach at Parramatta Power.

Fab Incantalupo, who is out of a job following Carlton's demise, is another with a chance of landing the job. He was Munro's assistant at the Melbourne-based club.

"When we went out before this season we wanted a football manager who could then appoint his own staff," said Turner. "Mike Petersen decided to take the coaching role then appointed a team manager [Andy Theoklitos] and an assistant coach [Rufer].

"We have to decide whether we will look in that direction again or go for a coach and put a manger in place.

"As it stands, it is a case of what, rather than who, at this stage.

"We have no real idea on whether the appointee will come from New Zealand or overseas. But obviously we want to do it as quickly as possible. More importantly, we have to make sure we get it right.

"We have to acknowledge our strategy with Mike Petersen did not work. Andy Theoklitos came as part of the package. I have had a second meeting with him [even though he is suspended]. He is still on the payroll. I believe Petersen's decision [to quit] came as a surprise to him."

Turner said he had spoken to the players and remained confident none of the Australians brought in by Petersen would follow him back across the Tasman.

He is not so confident that Con Boutsianis will return to Auckland.

Boutsianis, a utility attacker, is due to appear before a tribunal in Australia next week when his walkout from the Kingz will be under scrutiny.

Turner admitted he was "nowhere near as confident now that Boutsianis will return" and said the club had to face up to the fact that Boutsianis "may move on".

Turner had maintained that Boutsianis would return because of his relationship with Petersen. Now Petersen has flown, that is unlikely.

Boutsianis' old South Melbourne club yesterday approached the Kingz seeking a transfer. The question now is whether it will be prepared to pay the transfer fee sought by the Kingz.

"Any move anywhere is a business issue," said Turner.

"The club would want a transfer fee on top of any outstanding fines he has accrued for his breach of contract."

Boutsianis joined the Kingz on a free transfer.

The most pressing hurdle for the Kingz is to name a team to play defending champions Wollongong away tomorrow night - and then hope they can, despite all the upheavals, come back with a point or three.