As Knights chairman Anthony Lee was fending off questions about his own job and abilities, new manager Barry Simmonds could have been forgiven for wondering what he had let himself in for.
Bottom of the league and with massive issues on and off the field, the Knights job
might not be the most coveted in the world. But try telling that to Simmonds, who was handed the role on an interim basis after the sacking of Paul Nevin last week.
"What's dire about it?" the Englishman asked when considering his predicament. "You're getting paid to run around and kick a ball about with young athletes. What's bad about that? There are guys in factories who would love our life for one day. We get 365 of them. There's no pressure."
Not yet, anyway. Although few people expect miracles, they're tired of watching an under-performing Knights outfit and hope a change of manager will bring about a change in fortunes.
Simmonds doesn't know whether he wants the job fulltime. He was employed as director of football and still expects to undertake an "audit" of the club as well as drive recruitment.
The Knights will advertise the manager's position this week and it's likely All Whites coach Ricki Herbert will be among the candidates. New Zealand Soccer offered his services before Nevin was appointed and he had also been linked to the director of football role.
Herbert would have significant support within the present squad and would have some pulling power with Kiwi players abroad. It would also be looked on favourably by A-League officials, who have repeatedly said the Knights need to increase their New Zealand flavour.
Simmonds will rely heavily on assistant manager Kevin O'Leary to pick the side to take on the Central Coast Mariners today. They are down to the minimum with only 14 players, including three goalkeepers, available but were hopeful former Canadian striker Alen Marcina would be cleared in time. The 26-year-old scored 13 goals in 27 games this year for the Puerto Rica Islanders in North America's second-tier United Soccer League.
