NorthEast United Football Club today announced former long-time New Zealand men’s national team coach Ricki Herbert as their Manager for the forthcoming Hero Indian Super League (ISL). Ricki managed the Kiwi ‘All Whites’ for 8 years from 2005-2013. He also represented the New Zealand National team at the 1982 FIFA World Cup.

Ricki Llyod Herbert (53) led the New Zealand team to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. New Zealand performed admirably at the World Cup and came out of it as the only unbeaten team at the World Cup. They battled much fancier opponents such as Italy, Paraguay and Slovakia in their group, eventually drawing the games. During his tenure with the ‘All Whites’, their FIFA ranking improved from 156 to 48.

Herbert also coached A-League side Wellington Phoenix from 2007-2013 taking them to A-League Preliminary Finals in 2010. During his long coaching career Ricki has also overseen the New Zealand Olympic team preparation and was Technical Director of the country’s Technical development programme.

He was appointed by FIFA to be a part of the 14 member Technical Development Studies group led by Gerard Houlier at the recently concluded FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil. The group was responsible for tracking and studying technical strategies and trends employed by various teams at the World Cup.

The club also announced Lajong FC head coach Thangboi Singto will be working with Ricki Herbert at NorthEast United FC in the capacity of coach.

John Abraham, co-owner NorthEast United FC while announcing the appointment said, “Ricki is the perfect fit for our plans at NorthEast United FC. His experience at the highest levels of competitive Football and his youth focussed philosophy matches the blue print of NorthEast United FC perfectly. With him on board we look forward to competing in the inaugural season of Indian Super League.”

Expressing his delight at being handed over the technical reins at NorthEast United FC, Herbert said, “The Indian Super League presents a great opportunity and challenge and with the Football crazy NorthEast fans backing us all the way, we’ll be putting out best foot forward. I look forward to this exciting journey.”