Players Never Tried to Resolve Their Issues - Moles

Wellington: Former New Zealand coach Andy Moles has said that players revolt leading to his downfall could have been checked in time if senior members of the team tried to resolve their issues with him.

Moles resigned as New Zealand coach on Saturday yesterday, describing the situation as 'untenable' after senior players revealed they had no confidence in him.

Moles came to know early last week through media reports that he had lost the team's confidence.

New Zealand Cricket has gagged him from answering questions about his severance package. However, a surprisingly sanguine Moles did volunteer that he harboured no ill-will towards the senior players who effectively overthrew him, expressing nothing stronger than disappointment.

"One of the most disappointing things over the 11 months I have been around is that I had no inkling and no communication that there had been a problem. I believe if I had got some feedback earlier we could have quelled this problem," Stuff.co.nz quoted Moles, as saying.

Moles said it was in New Zealand cricket's best interests that he moved on, and the players' interests needed to be put before his, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Moles was at pains to point out that predecessors John Bracewell and Steve Rixon suffered similar problems with the team.

"I don't know if it's getting out of control. It is all about the players and they are the most important thing. It will be a very interesting challenge for the next coach. We have got a young side ... and we need patience if they are to come right," moles said.

He said the Black Caps "need a coach who will be really forceful, and a guy who will perhaps come in and be allowed to run the show totally by himself."