Ricki Herbert has announced he'll be stepping down after more than eight years in charge of the New Zealand national men's football side.
Herbert's contract expires at the end of the current World Cup campaign, which is likely to end tomorrow in failure to qualify for a second straight tournament - the All Whites are chasing a 5-1 deficit against Mexico in the second of their two-legged qualifying playoff in Wellington.
And Herbert, a 61-cap New Zealand representative as a player, says he won't be pushing his case for another term in charge.
He's guided the All Whites in 66 internationals since first taking charge of the side in February 2005, the 52-year-old's biggest achievement being reaching the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals - just the second time the senior men's New Zealand side has reached the showcase tournament.
The All Whites finished the World Cup in South Africa as the only unbeaten nation after successive draws against Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay.
Herbert is the longest serving coach in All Whites history and guided the team to their first victory in Europe - a 3-1 win over Georgia in Germany in 2006 - as well as earning their first point at a senior FIFA event at the 2009 Confederations Cup - a 0-0 draw with Iraq.
