Phoenix name former Sydney FC captain Rudan as coach

Australian Mark Rudan has been announced as Wellington Phoenix head coach on a two-year deal.

Wellington Phoenix head coach Mark Rudan Source: Getty Images

The former Sydney FC captain led the Sky Blues to their first A-League title in 2006 before making the move into coaching after his retirement from playing in 2010.

Rudan has made an impressive start to his coaching career leading National Premier Leagues NSW side Sydney United 58 to two premiership titles and an Australian club title during a succesful four year stint with the club between 2013-16. 

Perennial strugglers Phoenix sacked previous head coach Darije Kalezic in March and used interim coach Chris Greenacre to see out the season.

The 42-year-old had a 17-year career as a professional player which ended in 2010 after more than 350 games in Australia, Japan, Malaysia and Switzerland.

Playing as a central defender, Rudan played 50 matches for the Sky Blues after joining the club in their inaugural season in 2005 before ending his career with a season at Adelaide United.

Over the past few seasons, Rudan had been linked to head coach openings with the Newcastle Jets, Central Coast Mariners and the Phoenix after the departure of Ernie Merrick in 2016.

The Phoenix are the last of the 10 A-League clubs to confirm their coach for the 2018-19 season.

Four other clubs have signed new coaches in recent weeks: Mike Mulvey at Central Coast, Markus Babbel at Western Sydney, Tony Popovic at Perth and Steve Corica at Sydney FC.