The Wellington Phoenix have announced Darije Kalezic and Rado Vidosic will coach the side for the 2017-2018 season and beyond.
New Head coach of the Phoenix Darije Kalezic (R) with his assistant coach Rado Vidosic Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Des Buckingham and Chris Greenacre stepped up from assistant jobs at the A-League club after coach Ernie Merrick resigned in December.
Now Kalezic a Dutch manager with eight years of coaching experience and Vidosic a Croatian-born Australian coach will take over.
Phoenix general manager David Dome said Kalezic comes with a wealth of experience and knowledge.
"While the world is becoming ever smaller and more interconnected there is no substitute for a coach with such wide-reaching connections and networks, especially within top European clubs."
Dome said the new assistant coach Vidosic is one of the most experienced assistant coaches in the A-League's history.
He won back to back titles at the Brisbane Roar and nabbed another championship from his time at the Melbourne Victory.
Dome said the high-calibre coaching duo will compliment the club's off field advances.
"Last season we spent more on the club - both on and off the field - than we have ever done previously," Dome said.
"This season will will continue to invest strategically - and we believe Darije and Rado have the skills and passion to achieve very highly at the Phoenix."
The pair signed their contracts in May and have since been in the process of reviewing and refreshing the clubs playing roster - it's expected that several new player signings will be announced in coming weeks.
-RNZ
