Soccer: Paul Parker keen on Auckland job

Former Manchester United and England defender Paul Parker is among applicants for the position of Auckland City coach.

The 45-year-old joined Manchester United in 1991 for £2 million and played about 140 games before transferring to Derby in 1996. During that time, he won a Premiership title, an FA Cup and a League Cup.

He was also capped 17 times and played in the 1990 World Cup semifinal, when England were ousted by Germany on penalties.

Parker is investigating moving to New Zealand and has also talked to Sky TV about working as a football pundit. He is also said to have applied for other vacancies at NZFC clubs, although Waitakere United have ruled him out.

Auckland City chairman Ivan Vuksich said Parker was among 14 applicants for the position and one of five from overseas (the others are from Brazil, Ireland, Germany and Australia).

Paul Posa has relinquished the post after delivering the NZFC and O-League titles to Kiwitea St.

"Paul Parker rang me about three or four weeks ago and we will meet him when he gets here," Vuksich said. "He certainly interests us but we don't know him, only his history as a player. He did say he had spoken to three or four other clubs.

"We have no idea of his aspirations or expectations. He might think the job comes with a $500,000 salary and he would get a rude shock."

It's little surprise the Auckland vacancy has created such interest. As O-League champions, they will play at December's Club World Cup in Dubai and earn a minimum US$500,000.

Parker has been employed in recent times as a pundit for Manchester United TV and also Setanta, which covers the Conference League, but he also had stints as manager of non-league sides Chelmsford (2001-03) and Welling (2003-06).

He arrives in New Zealand on Wednesday and will be a guest speaker at a function in Hamilton next Sunday.

Applications for the Auckland City job close tomorrow and Vuksich said they hoped to make an appointment in about a month.

Waitakere United chairman Rex Dawkins said they discounted Parker as a possibility to take over at Trusts Stadium.

"We have had 18 applications, including nine from offshore, but we won't be considering anyone from overseas," Dawkins said.

"I spoke to Paul about three months ago... but we will look to fill the position with a local."

Dawkins said they hoped to make a decision by the end of this week from a shortlist of four, including Chris Milicich, who coached Waitakere to the O-League and NZFC double in 2007-08.

Milicich has also applied for the Auckland City job.