Former All Whites and Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert is taking his career in a different direction.
He's been appointed as Director of Football at St Peter's School in Cambridge, and will help develop young players at the school's new football academy.
"There's been some other opportunities that I've considered and looked at but this one I just feel is really appealing" Herbert said.
"It's just a fresh start with some new challenges and a chance to put an international world-class curriculum which has been developed over the last year to be put in place and provide an opportunity for aspiring young football players not only at St Peter's, but in the broader Waikato area".
Herbert has been linked to a number of high-profile jobs in recent months, including the head coach position at the Central Coast Mariners.
But Herbert says that after terminating his contract with Maldives in June to return home to care for his terminally ill mother who recently passed away, part of his decision to take up the role with St Peter's was about a desire to be close to home.
"When you lose your mum it's always pretty tough and that news came when I was abroad and it's probably news no one wants to hear, hence the reason I terminated my contract and came back and probably had the last six months while mum was still alive. To put some stability around being in New Zealand for the next period of time was really important, not only from my perspective but to make that as a family decision".
While he hopes to lead St Peter's to success at national level and acknowledges that putting a new programme in place at the school will take time, 55-year old Herbert says this move doesn't signal the end of his coaching aspirations at professional level.
"My ambitions are still around professional environments but at this point of my life I've accepted and want to take this challenge. In the future I certainly wouldn't be saying no to a professional opportunity at some stage."
Herbert's followed the progress of the All Whites closely and says he's excited by the opportunities that lie ahead for Anthony Hudson's team, including friendly matches against Mexico and the United States next month, as well as the Confederations Cup next year. It's been over two years since the team played in New Zealand and he hopes to see the team playing on home soil soon.
"I think it'd be great for the public to see the players back playing against a strong, meaningful international team at some stage".
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