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Former Wellington Phoenix coach Marko Rudan drops by Yellow Fever pub crawl.
A former Wellington Phoenix coach walked right into a bar … and ended up shouting $878 value of drinks to the membership’s supporters.
Marko Rudan was again in Wellington on Saturday along with his new A-League Males membership Western Sydney Wanderers, and within the Christmas spirit.
Hours earlier than his group suffered a late 2-0 defeat to the Phoenix at Sky Stadium, Rudan determined to go for a stroll across the Wellington waterfront to reminisce about his time dwelling within the New Zealand capital.
Whereas out and about, Rudan was noticed by Wellington’s supporters group Yellow Fever, who have been on their annual pre-match pub crawl.
After listening to chants of “who’re ya!” as he walked previous the Foxglove bar, Rudan determined to affix them.
He posed for images and supplied to purchase a spherical of drinks.
To his shock, the invoice got here to $878.73.
“Did I count on the invoice to be that a lot? No,” Rudan chuckled.
“The primary lot got here in, then all of them got here in and earlier than I knew it was a tsunami of yellow and black.
“I suppose it was simply my manner of claiming thanks. After I was right here, they have been nice in direction of me, and when somebody leaves they usually change into the opposition, it’s regular that they act a sure manner, and that’s OK.
“Nevertheless it was simply my manner of claiming thanks. It’s Christmas in a few days.”
Rudan turned public enemy No. 1 within the eyes of the Phoenix supporters in 2019 after bailing midway by way of a two-year deal to affix growth membership Western United and taking three gamers with him, together with membership legend Andrew Durante.
Rudan was given a hostile welcome in his first sport again at Sky Stadium as opposition coach, with one fan bringing a banner that learn “1 thief, 3 traitors”.
Rudan was pictured sheepishly strolling previous the banner as he made his manner down the gamers’ tunnel after the match.
He copped a little bit of stick from the Yellow Fever on Saturday, however was not routinely booed like in earlier visits.
Sadly for Rudan, his act of excellent will didn’t rub off on his personal group both.
Western Sydney suffered late heartbreak after Kosta Barbarouses and Ben Previous scored stoppage-time targets for the Phoenix.
After the match, Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano was requested if he would match Rudan’s gesture.
“Nah, no likelihood. I don’t have that a lot cash.”