Mark Rudan a candidate to replace Merrick at Phoenix

Former Sydney FC star Mark Rudan is looming as favourite to take over at Wellington Phoenix.

Ernie Merrick reacts during his team’s 2-0 loss to Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium on Sunday.

Former Sydney FC star Mark Rudan is looming as favourite to take over at Wellington Phoenix following the resignation of coach Ernie Merrick yesterday.

Merrick opted to resign straight after bottom-placed Phoenix lost 2-0 to Adelaide United on Sunday night. He reportedly told the players of his decision in the dressing room, ending his 3½ years at the helm of the New Zealand-based team.

It is understood Rudan, who has been plying his trade successfully in the NSW NPL with Sydney United, is more than interested in the job and is due to meet with Phoenix officials within the next couple of days.

The 41-year-old stood down from United this year after a three-year stint in which he lead the former NSL giants to two NPL and two Australian championship titles. He has been concentrating on his career as a football analyst with Fox Sports and as an assistant coach with the Australian under 19s.

Rudan, regarded as one of the deep thinkers in the game, is said to be ready to tackle the biggest job of his football career.

He is likely to have stiff competition as Ramon Tribulietx is expected to be in the mix. The Spaniard is highly thought of, having coached Auckland City to five appearances in the Club World Cup.

In the interim, however, Phoenix have appointed Chris Greenacre and Des Buckingham as joint caretaker coaches while they go through the process to replace Merrick with a fulltime coach.

Merrick, the only man to twice be named A-League coach of the year after steering Melbourne Victory to premiership-championship doubles (2006-07, 2008-09) is the third coach to depart a club this year. Scott Miller (Newcastle Jets) and Tony Walmsley (Central Coast Mariners) were sacked during the pre-season.

For those who know Merrick, the decision to stand down will come as no surprise.

The Scotsman, who has been a big part of Australian soccer for more than 40 years, has always done things his own way and is someone who has always had high principles.

His statement following his resignation is indicative of his selfless nature. “I take full responsibility for the position the team is currently in,” Merrick said.

“I feel that I have not performed well enough as head coach, as we have a very strong squad that should be higher up the table.

“It’s therefore the right time for me to step aside and allow someone else to take over. We have a run of home games coming up and I think this will give my successor the best opportunity to take the team forward.”

Merrick, 63, took over at Phoenix in 2013. The side struggled in ninth spot but bounced back the following season, finishing fourth before being bundled out of the finals in the first week.

Phoenix struggled again last season, finishing near the bottom of the table and prompting the club to open the chequebook this season and sign the likes of Kosta Barbarouses and Gui Finkler.

Coupled with the class of skipper Andrew Durante, Roley Bonevacia and Michael McGlinchey, many considered Wellington would be challenging for the title this season.

However, the Kiwis have managed just two wins and six losses and are sitting bottom of the league.

It would seem likely that we have seen the last of Merrick as a senior coach in the A-League, though he would still have plenty to offer helping to develop young players, as he did in the days of the National Soccer League when the likes of Paul Trimboli, Kevin Muscat, Damian Mori and David Clarkson blossomed under him.