“No, I wouldn't let him go. He's in there, boots and all, for the next three years - he's locked in,” Serepisos told au.fourfourtwo.com following the club's stunning 2-1 victory over Sydney FC in the harbour city last weekend.

It's understood that Herbert has impressed at least one A-League club with the way he's brought together a completely new squad in record time and got them playing attractive football.

What's more, the dual Phoenix/All-Whites coach has taken points from two of the first four games and has the new franchise in fifth spot on the ladder, one point off the top four.

“That's where Ricki's coming from, it's from the heart,” added Serepisos. “I'd let him go if he wanted to go but there's no way he'll go anywhere.”

Herbert is also about to helm the All-Whites' World Cup campaign through Oceania and, if successful, against the fifth best Asian nation.

The Phoenix owner added that he's satisfied with the first-year club's progress both on and off the park.

“It's been amazing. A lot of people have been eating humble pie with our crowds so far," he said.

"We had over 11,000 for the second game and over 14,000 for the first game. And 2000 got turned away from that first game because Ticketek weren't able to handle the extra demand.

"So really, that crowd figure should've been over 16,000, and remember, that first game was a record for New Zealand club football...and last week was the second record."

He added: “The club is right on target for what we want. There's another 17 games to go. The thing that's pleasing me and everyone else is that this is not the Knights. It is a brand new team."

And Serepisos, a successful businessman in Wellington, has big plans for his growing organisation.

“This club can go all the way," he said. "It may not go all the way this year but the year after, it's got the potential.

"To beat clubs that have been in existence for over two seasons is a big achievement in itself.

"The biggest thing is that people now have to realise, it's run professionally, a huge infrastructure behind it."

Phoenix now has two home games in a row at Westpac Stadium, with Adelaide visiting this weekend then Glory the following week.