Au Revoir and Merci Beaucoup Ricki Herbert!

So one of the longest and most memorable episodes in New Zealand sport has drawn to a close today with the resignation of the Wellington Phoenix's manager, Ricki Herbert. It may have come as a shock but really it probably hadn't been coming for a while now given the Phoenix's season.

It's a shame that Herbert couldn't go out with a win he deserved with his last game their home match, a thrilling 2-2 draw against Adelaide United on a sunny Sunday afternoon in the capital.

Herbert delivered great success to the Wellington Phoenix 

Nevertheless, one must judge a manager on his overall stint and not just one season let alone one game. In that regard, Ricki Herbert has passed easily with a B+ grade which is actually far better than what other managers have tried to achieve with a New Zealand professional football club.

Herbert brought New Zealand pro football from the dark ages of the New Zealand Knights

In fact, New Zealand football owes Herbert a huge debt - if the Phoenix had lumbered on like their predecessors, the New Zealand Knights and Kingz, I think the sport would have been long buried by rugby and league by now. As it is, football has a reasonably firm footing in this country and certainly in the capital thanks to the success of the Phoenix and its fan club.

Herbert's peak at the Phoenix - the playoffs against Newcastle in 2009/10

And Herbert achieved his success through some effective football - and that is the most important mark every wannabe manager wants to have and many high-profile names have failed to achieve it. Sure it wasn't pretty but given the squad he has had throughout his tenure, Herbert played the right type of football for the team.

Ultimately, the semifinals would be as far as the Phoenix could go but in a tight league, that is something to be proud of especially when they did three seasons in a row between 2010 and 2012. The likes of the much vaunted Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory can only dream of such consistency.

Alas, the Phoenix this season have looked like a side devoid of ideas and motivation. Perhaps the premature retirement of Tim Brown had a huge factor in destabilising the team for this season and probably signalled the beginning of the end for Ricki Herbert with his inspirational midfielder for club and country no longer available for selection.

Can the Nix entice a guy of Alan Curbishley's calibre to replace Herbert?

At least now, the Phoenix have the kudos and potential to attract a manager of some calibre. But whoever they select, will have a tough job emulating a manager who made the Phoenix what they are today.

So thank you, Ricki, and best of luck with the All Whites and the future.