Bazeley’s contract was up in December but he remained hopeful of staying on. He was understandably upset when speaking to the Herald about the decision.
“I was hopeful of continuing with the team, but there’s a football decision been made and that’s something that I have to now deal with,” Bazeley told the Herald.
“It’s not what I wanted, but yeah, something that’s happened and I’m currently dealing with it and taking it all in.
“I’ve been involved with New Zealand Football for so long, and this was the pinnacle, leading the All Whites. It was such an honour and I was so proud to do it and I enjoyed every, every moment.”
While Bazeley has been a good servant to New Zealand football, departing New Zealand Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell said the World Cup results were not up to standard.
“We had a really strong strategic goal of getting to those knockout stages of the World Cup, and we’ve looked back at obviously our record over the last four years and it’s absolutely an imperative that this team achieves its full potential, which is completely at the knockout stages and as far as they can go within those stages,” Pragnell said.
“We didn’t feel they were on the trajectory to do that, and it must happen in 2030. We’ve made that decision and Darren goes with our absolute best wishes. He’s been a servant to the game in this country and I’m sure he’ll go on to great things as well.”
Darren Bazeley speaks with All Whites captain Chris Wood. Photo / Photosport
Bazeley’s time as All Whites head coach will conclude with the two-match home series against India next month, with matches in Auckland and Christchurch.
He said he’s spoken to the majority of the squad and is looking forward to one last campaign with the team before departing.
“I’ve had a lot of nice words,” Bazeley said. “I’ve known most of them for a long time and been involved in their careers at different parts of their careers at different levels.
“I’ve got good relationships with all of them, but it’s football and it’s something that they’ll deal with. I’m sure that New Zealand Football will bring in somebody really good who’ll hopefully take the team to that next level.
“I‘m looking forward to seeing the boys and get the staff back together. Hopefully we put on a couple of good performances and get some wins and score some goals and have some more moments.”
Bazeley is unsure what the future holds but hopes to remain in football, having been involved in the sport since his teens after starting as a player for English side Watford before moving to New Zealand, where he played for the Knights and moved into coaching.
New Zealand Football said details of the process to recruit Bazeley’s successor will be announced in due course.
The All Whites squad for the matches against India will be named next week.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.