Football: Wellington Phoenix eye Socceroo

Darije Kalezic resigned after an awful campaign. Photo / Photosport.nz

A Mauritius-born, former Socceroo is a strong contender for the vacant Wellington Phoenix head coach role.

The Herald understands Melbourne Victory assistant coach Jean-Paul de Marigny has emerged as a potential candidate for the job, as the club look to find a permanent successor to Darije Kalezic, who resigned after an awful campaign.

The 54-year-old de Marigny has been Kevin Muscat's assistant in Melbourne since the start of the 2016-17 season. It's his second stint at the Victory, where he was also on the coaching bench during 2013-15.

Welnix have talked about local knowledge - both of the A-League and the Australasian football scene - as a key requirement for the new man, after that was identified as a major issue for Kalezic.

De Marigny could tick that box. He was also twice an assistant at the Newcastle Jets (2005-06 and 2015-16) and has filled the same role for Australian national age group teams. His lack of head coach experience at the highest level might be questioned, but he has had time in the hot seat with Sydney United and Marconi in the second tier of the Australian system.

De Marigny was born in Mauritius and speaks fluent French. He migrated to Australia as a 15-year-old, and had a successful playing career in the National Soccer League (the precursor to the A-League), with three championships and more than 300 games for Marconi, Sydney City and Apia Leichhardt. The former fullback also won five caps for the Socceroos.

However, he's been a behind-the-scenes man for most of his coaching career, so the transition to the weekly pressure would be the biggest hurdle.

Of the other possible contenders, ex-Adelaide coach Aurelio Vidmar has been ruled out, while former Wanderers coach Tony Popovic is believed to have turned down an early approach from the Phoenix.

Auckland City coach Ramon Tribulietx is highly rated by the Wellington club and appears the strongest local contender, but his lack of a Pro Licence counts against him, as the Phoenix would need special dispensation from the Football Federation Australia. Current caretaker coach Chris Greenacre also doesn't have the necessary qualifications.