Andrew Durante might not be at the Wellington Phoenix next season, but he believes it's crucial that Mark Rudan is.
Club chairman Rob Morrison, general manager David Dome and the coach himself have all been coy about his future, unwilling to say definitely he will stay for the 2019-20 season, only pointing to his two-year contract, signed last May.
"I hope he is [here next season]," Durante said on Wednesday, before the team trained in Auckland, where they play Melbourne Victory at Eden Park on Friday night.
"I really hope that what he's set up this year continues on. He's so important to this football club, he's a fantastic coach, he's got all the right attributes for being successful.
"If he can be here next year, it's crucial. The owners have to look at that and do everything they can to lock him in because he's important to this football club."
Durante said he had let Rudan know his thoughts, at a time when there have been reports the coach is in the sights of expansion franchise Western Melbourne, who are set to join the A-League next season.
"I want him to stay, without a doubt. I want the club to be successful and if success means keeping him we've got to do everything we can to keep him."
Durante signalled his intention to retire after the current season when he re-signed for one more year, but has walked back from that, given the club's form, which has them on track to make the playoffs for the first time in four years, and just the second time since 2012.
On Wednesday, he said nothing was set in stone with regard to his future.
"I haven't made a decision yet. I just want to enjoy it, I just want to focus on playing well, that's my main focus at the moment, and helping the team achieve what we want to achieve. We've got some high targets and when I've made a firm decision I'll let people know.
Durante has previously revealed he came close to calling it quits after last season, and he reiterated he was glad he decided to stay on.
"It was a difficult year last year, for so many reasons, on and off the field. Mentally it was a really difficult time for everyone at the club, not just myself personally," he said.
"At the back end, I decided I'd stay on and give it one more crack, and if it is to be my last season, this is the way I want it to be - I'm enjoying it, the team's doing well, the supporters and the fans and the club have been really positive, so if it is to be my last season, then I'll go out really happy."
Phoenix midfielder Mandi wasn't with the team on Wednesday, remaining in Wellington where his wife Mayra welcomed a son, Lennon Alessandro.