Former Wellington Phoenix and All Whites coach Ricki Herbert is hopeful the club's new manager will bring success to the team after years of struggle.
On Friday, Phoenix general manager David Dome announced the club will name their new coach early next month.
He said the new coach would bring "a deep knowledge of European football, experience of developing young talent and a wide network of scouting contacts".
Herbert, who coached the Nix for six seasons, said the new coach will have to hit the ground running and make the club a finals contender in his first season.
"With a new manager coming in there will be excitement among the fans and what players he will bring in," Herbert told RadioLIVE.
"It is a breath of fresh air and an opportunity to build for the future. It is a big decision but at the end of the day the owners must be happy.
"There is plenty to look forward to and it could be a brand new fresh look for the club."
A number of players have moved on from the Phoenix during the offseason including goalkeeper Glenn Moss and Roly Bonevacia, while veteran Vince Lia is expected to depart.
With players going their own way and with a new manager coming in, it is expected he will bring in a number of players - something which Herbert is looking forward to seeing.
"There are a number of players who have left the club for a number of reasons which isn't a bad thing.
"The new manager has the opportunity come in and from his own point of view make a big difference with the signings that he wants to make.
"I will be interested to see what direction he takes and what kind of players that he wants to bring in.
"He doesn't have to pick up what [former coach Ernie] Merrick has left behind so he can come in and make his own statement and that will be interesting to see."
The Nix have just 15 players under contract, and are starting from behind with the lengthy delay in appointing the new boss to succeed Merrick - who's now with rivals the Newcastle Jets.
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