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Former New Zealand coach Steve Rixon has confirmed he would return to the post if he was offered the position following the resignation of Andy Moles.

Rixon, 55, was at the Black Caps helm from 1996 to 1999, and has since taken charge of New South Wales, Surrey and ICL outfit Hyderabad Heroes.

"The timing is quite good," admitted Rixon. "I think that the job that needs to be done is very similar to the job that had to be done in 1997 and the challenge is appealing.

"They need to get back to simple basics, be more disciplined and possibly look at the make-up of the side."

However former India coach John Wright has emerged as the frontrunner, with former New Zeland Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden getting behind him.

Wright's name has often come up when New Zealand's coaching post has become available, and he is currently the high performance manager in the Land of the Long White Cloud.

Snedden told the Dominion Post: "I'm going to put my hand up and say John Wright's time is now, he would be great. Right at the heart of this is John Wright has the know-how.

"So much of what he brings is required. The skill of batting, the passion, he was so nationalistic as a player, we need that right now."

Wright has in the past insisted he doesn't have the desire to return to an international coaching job, but New Zealand's options are looking slim with Stephen Fleming, Tom Moody and Greg Shipperd all ruling themselves out of the running.

Snedden believes Wright must be convinced to take the role this time around.

"There is talk of perceived shortcomings - if that's the case you cope with that," said Snedden. "It is far better to have a coach with John Wright's skills and know-how than someone else who might have that [an ability to organise] and very little else.

"Currently our batting is a problem. We have the raw talent with guys like Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder and Tim McIntosh, but they are still to learn the skills how to survive. John has all of that knowledge and the desperation."