Soccer: Kiwi cheer for the Knights as Bunce signs on

All Whites defender Che Bunce has signed with the Knights but it's not yet guaranteed that national coach Ricki Herbert will.

Bunce, 30, signed a one-year deal on Thursday and joins Noah Hickey in bringing the number of Kiwis at the Knights to two. Announcements are also expected on the signings of Jonas Salley, 24, and 18-year-old Australian Sime Kovacevic.

Bunce turned down a move to Finland and said he had no reservations signing with the Knights, despite their disastrous first season.

"It's a fresh year and the squad has changed a lot," he said. "I got good vibes speaking with [caretaker manager] Paul Nevin and I also didn't want to uproot my family and go overseas."

Owner Brian Katzen is keen for Herbert to have a role with the club but exactly what he would do is a matter of some debate.

"Most definitely," Katzen said when asked if the time was right for Herbert to be involved. "Watch this space."

Katzen wants to take a more active role after last year's debacle and, as owner, it's logical he would have the final say on how the club would replace John Adshead.

But Knights chief executive Steve O'Hara said he can't see how Herbert could juggle his duties with the All Whites.

"The issue I have is how the national coach could be a football manager or coach of a professional club," he said. "I don't know where else in the world that happens. To me, there is a conflict of interest.

"We need someone who has coached or managed at a high level in a professional environment because we're playing in a quality league and need someone with a professional background. We need a dedicated manager and a dedicated head coach.

"We have been discussing how the Knights and New Zealand Soccer could work more closely together. Does it involve Ricki Herbert specifically? No it doesn't, as far as I am concerned. Does it involve him being involved at some level? Yes."

There had been suggestions that Herbert could assume a technical director or director of football role, positions O'Hara admitted he didn't understand, which would allow him to still coach the All Whites. Herbert could also prove a major influence in trying to attract All Whites to the Knights, which A-League boss Matt Carroll has insisted on.

Carroll is also keen for a Kiwi to be at the helm and it would be positive PR as the Knights and New Zealand Soccer attempt to build a closer relationship.

"I would be interested in discussing the possibility of a role with the organisation in more depth should a role be available," Herbert said.

Knights scout Eddie Krncevic is keen on the manager's position. The former Australian striker and Carlton, Marconi and South Melbourne coach recently returned from Europe and reports out of Australia said he'd lined up a Portuguese player and two Argentines to join the Knights.