A former Oceania Club Champion and one of Australia’s most promising young coaches Mark Rudan has been appointed Head Coach of the Wellington Phoenix on a two year deal.
After a highly successful playing career, including stints in Germany, China, Japan, Switzerland and Australia including captaining Sydney FC to the A-League title in 2006, Rudan transitioned seamlessly into coaching, winning both NSW Premier League and Australian Premier League titles with Sydney United in 2013 and 2016.
A talented and robust defender, Phoenix Chairman Rob Morrison said that Rudan was the right man to lead the Phoenix for the next two seasons.
“We had a large number of successful coaches apply for the role, including a number with considerable A-League experience but Mark stood out with his passion and desire to make a difference at the club” said Morrison.
“The feedback on Mark from the people we spoke to, which included some of the most respected and experienced people in Australian football, was universally excellent with all stressing what a talented coach, man manager and determined leader he is.
“Mark is an exciting ‘next generation’ coach, who will bring fresh energy, focus and discipline to the playing group at the club and he can’t wait to stamp his mark upon the A-League.
“We are an ‘underdog’ club, we can’t escape that, we have to fight for everything we get and we wanted someone who would buy into what the club faces and is capable of leading that fight and we think Mark is that person.”
While recognising that a new independent A-League is an absolute prerequisite for the long term success of the A-League, the Phoenix still have two years before triggering an extension to the existing licence, something the club is totally focused on.
Rudan said that he couldn’t wait to start his new challenge at Wellington.
“I would like to place on record my thanks to the Wellington Phoenix Board for giving me this opportunity.
“The Phoenix have a reputation for giving young Australian and New Zealand footballers their first starts in the Hyundai A-League and now as a coach I have my first A-League coaching opportunity.
“There is huge potential at the Phoenix, already signed for the squad is a core group of experienced A-League players as well as some of the most exciting young talents in the A-League and we have the funding for some quality visa players ready to go.
“The club has organised a great off-season with games in Asia and Australia already booked in.
“I couldn’t be more excited about the season ahead,” said Rudan.
Mark Rudan At A Glance
Head Coach Football
2016
Young Socceroos AFC qualifiers
Worked with Head Coach Ufuk Talay
2013 –2017 Head Coach Sydney United 58 FC
National Premier League NSW
2016 NSW Premiers
NSW Waratah Cup Champions
Australian NPL Champions
2015 NSW Waratah Cup Champions
2013 NSW Premiers
Australian NPL Champions
NSW Coach of the year
2011 –2012 Head Coach Rockdale City Suns FC
National Premier League NSW
June 2010 Assistant Coach Sydney United Under 20
Professional Playing Career
2010 Adelaide United FC, Australia
Coach: Aurelio Vidmar
2010 Asian Champions League
2009 Vaduz FC, Switzerland
Coach: Pierre Littbarski
2008 AvispaFukuoka FC, Japan
Coaches: Pierre Littbarski& Yoshiyuki Shinoda
2005-08 Sydney FC, Sydney
Coaches: Pierre Littbarski, Ian Crook, Terry Butcher, Branko Culina, John Kosmina2007 Asian Champions League
2007 Defender of the Year
2006 Hyundai A League Champions
2006 Chairman Award
2005 Oceania Club Champions
2005 FIFA World Club Championships Tokyo
2004 Public Bank FC
Malaysian Super League Defender of the Year
2003-05 Sydney United, Australia
Coach: Branko Culina, Grant Lee
2003 Sydney United Player of the Year
2002 Jiangsau Sainty, China
Coach: Vladimir Ukemsov
2000-02
Alemannia Aachen, Germany
Coaches: Eugen Hach, JorgBerger
1998-00 Northern Spirit, Australia
Coach: Graham Arnold
1993-98 Sydney United, Australia
Coaches: Branko Culina, David Mitchell, Laurie McKinna
1996-97 National Premiers NSL and Grand Finalists
1995 Youth World Cup
1995-96 Australian Under 23’s (Olyroos), 14 Appearances
1993-95 Young Socceroos –Australian Under 20’s squad, 21 Appearances
Story courtesy of Wellington Phoenix