Qatar offer rejected

Press, 29 July 1987, Page 76

Qatar offer rejected

The lure of coaching the New Zealand youth soccer team was a primary reason for the New Zealand Football Association technical director, Mr Terry Conley, turning down a lucrative offer to coach in Qatar. Mr Conley, of Christchurch, was offered $60,000 tax free plus bonuses hnd fringe benefits to coach in the Persian Gulf state for one year.

He said yesterday that he had turned the offer down.

“If I did not already have a good job it would have been different. I am really enjoying the job I am doing and did not want to take the risk of

going to Qatar. Twelve months ago I probably would have gone.” Mr Conley is looking forward to coaching the All Whites youth team as it bids to qualify for the World Youth Cup. “I have been coaching here for 20 years and this is the first national job I have had where I am on my own. I have always gotten my best results when I am solely in charge.” Mr Conley said family reasons had also prompted him to reject the Qatar offer.

He is keen to coach the Canterbury under-17 side, which leaves in two weeks for a tour of North America and Britain.

Mr Conley does not have any immediate aspirations to become coach of the senior All Whites side.

He came out strongly in support of the incumbent coach, Kevin Fallon, saying it would be foolish to dump Mr Fallon.

There has been a lot of criticism of Mr Fallon’s methods but Mr Conley said his international experience and comparative youth made Mr Fallon the right person for the job.

“People learn from their mistakes and I support Kevin. If I can give him any assistance then I would do so immediately.”