Jonathan Gould is returning to the Wellington Phoenix after just one season away from New Zealand.
Jonathan Gould is returning to the Wellington Phoenix after just one season away from New Zealand.
Gould spent two seasons as one of Ricki Herbert's assistants at Wellington before moving to Perth Glory amid the turmoil caused by previous Phoenix owner Terry Serepisos' financial troubles.
But the goalkeeping coach is returning to the Phoenix on a two-year contract having narrowly missed out on the Hyundai A-League title with the Western Australian side.
"It was a wrench to leave because I have such a good relationship with Ricki but it was a tough time," Gould said.
"I have had a wonderful journey over the past nine or 10 months and it was great working with Ian Ferguson, but once there was stability at the Phoenix and Ricki asked me to return it was a no contest really.
"Ricki has believed in me and hopefully what I've done over the past few months will help him and the Phoenix go one better than the Glory and win the competition."
Gould said it took the switch to Perth for him to realise just how highly rated Herbert and the Phoenix are in Australia.
"Considering the turmoil going into the season the Phoenix team performed amazingly well in getting to the playoffs for the third successive season," Gould added.
"Now that the club is getting the off-field stuff right it is an opportunity for Ricki to take it further."