Ricki Herbert is set to become the All Whites' longest serving coach after signing a contract extension through to the end of New Zealand's 2014 football World Cup campaign.
It is the second extension since the 2010 FIFA World Cup for Herbert, who's been at the reigns of the national team since 2005.
The chief executive of New Zealand Football, Grant McKavanagh, says Herbert is the man to guide the All Whites through to the end of the world cup qualifiers and, if things go to plan, on to another Confederations Cup and World Cup.
Herbert has been in charge for 45 matches, including 39 'A' internationals, and a successful campaign through the OFC Nations Cup in June will qualify New Zealand for a place at the Confederations Cup and at least six more World Cup qualifiers.
Those games, added to this month's international against Jamaica at Mt Smart Stadium and others in FIFA windows should mean Herbert easily surpasses John Adshead's total of 55 matches, and Ken Armstrong's seven year tenure - records for All Whites coaches.
If New Zealand prevail through two stages of Oceania qualifiers, their path to the 2014 World Cup will culminate in a home and away playoff against a CONCACAF nation in November 2013.
New Zealand Football has also continued the formal arrangement with Wellington Phoenix that ensures Herbert will be free from club commitments whilst fulfilling All White duties.
