New Zealand Football have appointed Darren Bazeley as All Whites assistant coach and men’s U-20 head coach.
Bazeley will leave his current position as assistant coach at A-League side the Newcastle Jets to take up the roles with immediate effect.
The move sees the former professional player and Colorado Rapids assistant coach return to familiar territory having worked as the All Whites assistant coach from 2015–2017, and as New Zealand’s U-20 head coach from 2013–2017. Prior to that, Bazeley worked with the men’s U-17 team, as assistant and head coach.
In his previous stint with New Zealand Football, Bazeley experienced five age-group FIFA World Cups – including the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup hosted by New Zealand – the 2017 Confederations Cup and the 2017 Intercontinental Playoffs against Peru.
All Whites head coach Danny Hay welcomed the return of Bazeley.
“It’s great to have Darren back at New Zealand Football. I’m looking forward to working closely with him to continue to develop the talent pathway from our youth sides right up to the All Whites,” Hay said.
Bazeley said he was looking forward to the opportunity.
“I’m delighted to return to New Zealand Football and start working with the talented generation of players we have emerging. It’s an exciting time for the national teams, with World Cup qualifiers and Olympics upcoming,” he said.
“I enjoyed my stints as assistant coach at both Colorado and Newcastle but now feels like the right time to come home and work with Danny in helping to align the game here in New Zealand.”
Courtesy of New Zealand Football
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