Coach Ernie Merrick's departure will effect plan to revive local football
Government admits Project Phoenix, started last year to revive local game, suffers setback due to national coach's resignation last week
Hong Kong soccer's multimillion-dollar blueprint to rise from the ashes has been damaged by the departure of national coach Ernie Merrick, a top government official admitted yesterday.
Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs Jonathan McKinley has broken the official silence over the resignation of Merrick last week, saying the government-backed Project Phoenix implemented last year to revive the local game would not be helped by the departure of a national coach just nine months into his job.
"It appears Ernie Merrick has tendered his resignation. Whilst this is obviously an internal matter for the HKFA to handle, to lose a coach of the proven calibre of Ernie Merrick at such an early stage clearly impacts on the implementation of Project Phoenix," McKinley said.
Merrick is the latest casualty in holding down what seems to be a tough job - he is the 10th national coach since 2000.
The Scot, a successful former Australian A-League coach with Melbourne Victory, took over as national coach in January and was in charge for six international games ending with a 3-3 record. But significantly all three defeats came in the last three matches. It seemed the last straw was the 3-0 loss to an under-strength Malaysia at Mongkok Stadium a fortnight ago with Merrick, who had fielded a young side, coming under fire.
But yesterday the government came out in support of Merrick's policy to groom a young team and said patience was needed to reap the rewards of Project Phoenix - a comprehensive plan ranging from steps to improve the game from grassroots level right up to club and national level.