The just-departed All Whites coach Anthony Hudson has explained his main reasons for joining American football club the Colorado Rapids.
Anthony Hudson coached the All Whites for just over three years. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
After confirming last week he would not continue with the New Zealand team following their failure to reach next year's World Cup, Hudson announced as widely expected as the new coach of Colorado's Major League Soccer franchise on Thursday (NZ time).
The 36-year-old Englishman was in charge of the All Whites for a little more than three years but decided to move on after the team missed out on next year's World Cup, losing to Peru in a home-and-away playoff tie earlier this month.
Hudson said he feels his vision and ambition matches up well with the Rapids.
"The direction the club is going in, the phiolposhy the club wants to have and the style of play the club wants to have is all something that really aligns with how I see the game and how I play want to play.
"That's the really important thing and it's probably the biggest thing."
Hudson had a 9-11-7 record as All Whites coach, coming into the role from a stint coaching the Bahrain national side.
Born in the US, he began his managerial career in 2008 when he took the reins of third-tier American team Real Maryland Monarchs at the age of 27.
After a two-year spell with the club, he returned to England where he would work under Harry Redknapp at Tottenham Hotspur as a reserve team coach, before taking over English fifth-tier side Newport County in 2011.
Hudson felt taking a new job in America's top football league just felt right.
His father and longtime Chelsea midfielder Alan was playing in the US when his son was born, and after growing up in London, the younger Hudson returned to the US for a stint as a player and his first coaching role.
"I've been a huge admirer of the MLS for many years," Hudson said.
"I worked out here for six-odd years in the USL and my dad having played out here, it was such a great experience for him.
"I've sort of always grown up and in my family there has always been this really special link to the [United] States and the MLS."
Refelecting on where he had come from, Hudson indicated his time as coach of the All Whites would be beneficial for his new role.
Hudson led New Zealand to an Oceania Nations Cup title, the Confederations Cup and within one win of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
However, there were challenges at times and he was criticised for handing out too many caps to unheralded players while he also hit out at the national body over a lack of fixtures for his side.
Hudson, who took the All Whites job after roles in Bahrain, the UK and the US, believes he is ready for the step into Major League Soccer.
"The past experiences, the difficult challenges have just made me personally even more determined and dogged and given me an even stronger desire to do well."
Rapid's sporting director and interim general manager Pádraig Smith said it was a "very special" moment for the club.
"In Anthony, we believe we've hired one of the most promising young talents and we're extremely grateful for the support shown by the Kroenke family and the KSE executive team who remain committed to our goal of bringing another MLS Cup to Colorado."
Hudson was set to be introduced to the media in Colorado at a press conference on Friday.
