Wellington Phoenix confirm Ufuk Talay as new coach after A-League finals exit to Melbourne Victory

Just hours after being knocked out of A-League finals by Melbourne Victory, Wellington Phoenix have announced Sydney FC assistant coach Ufuk Talay will move across the ditch to replace Mark Rudan.

Ufuk Talay has left Sydney to join Wellington

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Sydney FC assistant coach Ufuk Talay has officially been appointed as Mark Rudan’s replacement at Wellington.

A few hours after being knocked out of their elimination final by Melbourne Victory 3-1 on Friday night, the Phoenix announced Talay will move across the ditch after the end of this season.

It came soon after the Sky Blues confirmed on Saturday morning they were releasing the 43-year-old from the final year of his contract to take over from good friend Rudan, who will move to A-League newcomers Western United.

Ufuk Talay has left Sydney to join Wellington

He will see out the season, with Sydney preparing for next weekend’s semi-final against Victory.

“The chance to be a head coach in this league doesn’t come up too often and Uffie has always indicated his desire to move up to that level, so we’ve agreed to allow him to go,” Sydney coach Steve Corica said.

Talay, who coached the Young Socceroos and Joeys before joining Sydney under Corica at the beginning of this season, is believed to have been recommended by Rudan himself.

His most pressing task will be retaining the club’s key players, with 14 players off contract including star Fijian striker and league golden boot winner striker Roy Krishna.

Phoenix chairman Rob Morrison said Talay impressed with his focus on driving continued success with a club at which Rudan hauled back from the doldrums and made competitive again following a ninth-place finish last season.

“Ufuk Talay is a highly driven young coach who strongly believes he is the coach who can bring success to the Phoenix,” Morrison said.

”The club has spent a lot of money and resource in the Academy space and you can see this in the talent that is coming through. We wanted a coach who was going to drive through the group the desire to win, to play for the club and the city and to never give up.

“We believe that Ufuk is that coach.”