The Wellington Phoenix have announced that retiring goalkeeper, Mark Paston is to become their new head coach for next season with current caretaker coach, Chris Greenacre, set to return to his role as assistant coach. Despite his lack of experience in football management, Paston said that as a goalkeeper, he had spent as much time watching the game from the back as former manager, Ricki Herbert and that he had plenty of ideas on how to shore up the Phoenix's porous backline and midfield from where he once stood in goal.
Mark Paston along with Ryan Nelsen are a new breed of coaches who have been hired by their clubs despite no prior coaching experience or badges.
Ok, so Mark Paston being head coach may not be true but his retirement certainly is. A late bloomer, Mark Paston has enjoyed a fine finish to his career having been plucked from virtual obscurity to play not just for New Zealand's only professional football clubs and also being first choice in goal for the national team at the World Cup in South Africa.
For me, my favourite memory of Mark Paston will always be that penalty save that helped the All Whites qualify for the World Cup. Even if it wasn't the best penalty ever taken, Paston read it superbly and that moment was definitely a clutch moment for the All Whites who went on to win their home tie in front of a packed crowd at Westpac Stadium in Wellington - myself included - and book their place in the group stages of the World Cup.
Just as he did in the club season for the Phoenix, Paston was in superb form for country in South Africa and his saves were important in ensuring the All Whites were the only unbeaten side at the World Cup in 2010.
Pasto, you will be hugely missed. All the best on the rest of your life and glad that you now get to spend more time with the kids and missus - and maybe even find a job that will get you that Ferrari I once saw you gawking at outside the Hotel Intercontinental!
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