Doubtless most of the young Black Caps team will, too.
But will New Zealand cricket followers be shedding a tear?
The Bracewell reign of just under five years draws to a close after the second test against Australia, starting today, with enough bizarre goings-on and anecdotes to fill a book. And that was just off the field.
On it, Bracewell struggled to record a pass mark with 13 wins and 19 defeats from 40 tests.
Seven of those wins were against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, and none of the 'big six' were beaten away from home.
Defeat against Australia in Adelaide will drop the test team to new depths, at No 8 in the world.
In one-day internationals, Bracewell's speciality from his years coaching English side Gloucestershire, it was a touch more respectable, with 61 wins from 106 matches.
New Zealand's creditable semifinal exit at last year's World Cup was the high point, along with their climb to a world ranking of No 2.
It was in coloured clothing where his players thrived as Bracewell relished the chance to manipulate tactics within a structured 50-over framework.
Fielding was his strength, and it only took one viewing of his legendary match eve fielding practices to appreciate that.
But while he was a master of spin in his playing days, his coaching public relations was decidedly average. And he didn't seem to lose sleep over it.
A tour with Bracewell was always approached with trepidation, especially after his two more good-natured predecessors, Denis Aberhart and David Trist.
When Vettori was asked about new coach Andy Moles this week he grinned: "You guys (media) should like him."
Bracewell's relationship with the media rarely rose above suspicion.
It reached a low point in Adelaide during the 2006-07 tri-series after a Sunday newspaper carried reports of a player revolt.
Bracewell arrived with steam rising from his ears, and when asked if he'd like to sit down, bellowed: "I'll stand."
Nearly every question from the touring press was met with: "You'll have to ask the players".
Hence, he wasn't often portrayed in a favourable light.
Then there were the conspiracy theories which baffled and delighted the Australian media ... Brisbane curator switching the pitch at short notice; Channel Nine manipulating speedgun and Hawkeye technology to suit the Australian team; Adam Gilchrist withdrawing from the Australian team for "other reasons" than being rested.
England didn't escape either, as Bracewell claimed local officials doctored pitches during New Zealand's tri-series win in 2004.
But there was a fair degree of respect from Bracewell's players.
As vice-captain Brendon McCullum observed this week, the coach's prickly demeanour wasn't often seen in the confines of the dressing room.
"I really admire what he has done. I have immense respect for that," McCullum said.
"He comes over to the media as probably having an aggressive nature ... he fights for the team in that regard. He is very much different with us than what he displays in public."
Other former players may beg to differ.
Lou Vincent and Andre Adams have Bracewell nowhere near their Christmas card lists, while the biggest fallout was with Astle, who quit abruptly in Perth, not long after reports of player unrest surfaced.
Astle later wrote of his frustration at Bracewell's new selection rotation policy in which senior players weren't guaranteed their spots.
Astle became restless and the edginess seeped to some of his teammates. Some bizarre selections didn't help.
Astle's brother-in-law Craig McMillan later followed to the Indian Cricket League, and cited unhappiness with Bracewell's methods, while captain Stephen Fleming denied himself a much-awaited farewell tour of England this year when he quit after his test captaincy was handed to Vettori.
Bracewell revealed he pushed for Fleming to retain the test leadership but was outvoted by his fellow selectors.
He offered a veiled final say on the senior player departure this week as his inexperienced side battled with Australia.
"If you look at the history of the side that has moved on, they were all about the same age, they all grew up together from the age of 16 in Christchurch and they all got to the point they started to have families and looking for easier commercial opportunities than international cricket which is hard work," he said.
"It's a lot easier to go to ICL and get the big bucks for six weeks."
New Zealand cricket coaching record of John Bracewell, whose five-year reign ends next week:-
Tests:-
Played 40, won 13, lost 19, drawn 8.
Highlights
2004-05: beat Sri Lanka 1-0 in New Zealand.
2005-06: beat West Indies 2-0 in New Zealand.
One-day internationals
Played 106, won 61, lost 38, tied 1, no-results 6.
Highlights
2004: NatWest Trophy (England, West Indies) in England.
2006: Champions Trophy semifinals, India.
2006-07: beat Australia 3-0 in New Zealand (Chappell-Hadlee Series).
2006-07: World Cup semifinals, West Indies.
Twenty20
Played 16, won 5, lost 10, tied 1.
Highlights
2007: Twenty20 World Cup semifinals, South Africa.
