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All Whites re-sign Ricki

Herbert signs new All Whites deal

02/14/2012 12:54:55 AM

Ricki Herbert stands to become the All Whites' longest-serving coach by signing a contract extension through to the end of New Zealand's 2014 World Cup bid.

Herbert has been in charge of the national team since 2005 and it is his second job extension since guiding the All Whites unbeaten through the pool stages of the 2010 World Cup.

The original show of faith was through until the end of the Oceania stage of World Cup qualifying in mid 2012 but they have now been rescheduled and spread out until March 2013.

With every confidence in Herbert's abilities, New Zealand Football gave him a further reassurance over his coaching future.

An arrangement has also been continued with the Wellington Phoenix to allow Herbert to be freed from A-League commitments while on national duty.

"We believe Ricki is the man to see us through the qualifiers and, if things go to plan, on to another Confederations Cup and World Cup," New Zealand Football chief executive Grant McKavanagh said.

Herbert has coached the All Whites in 45 matches, which will extend to well over 50 should they compete successfully at the OFC Nations Cup in June and qualify for the Confederations Cup along with at least six more World Cup qualifiers.

John Adshead's record of 55 games in charge is under threat, as is Ken Armstrong's seven-year tenure.

"Obviously the numbers are nice to reflect on – but at the end of your career," Herbert said.

"We have a job to do. The focus is reaching Brazil twice and to do that we have to keep winning games on the longest qualification path we've had since 1982.

"We start from a better base this year than we did in 2005 and with a full strength side against Jamaica on the 29th of February, I'm sure the public and the teams keeping tabs on us in the CONCACAF region will be keen to see what sort of marker we lay down."

If the All Whites make it through two stages of Oceania qualifying, they face a home and away play-off against a CONCACAF nation in November 2013 to reach their second straight World Cup finals.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

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