Source: Radio New Zealand
Phoenix operations manager Shaun Gill (right) with general manager David Dome. Photosport
Former Wellington Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano was already on borrowed time before his resignation at the weekend.
Italiano quit after Saturday’s 5-0 loss to Auckland FC. The Australian had been with the Phoenix since 2019 and head coach since 2023.
On Monday, Phoenix academy boss Chris Greenacre was announced as his replacement for the foreseeable future.
Phoenix director of football Shaun Gill said Italiano was aware that the club wasn’t happy with the team’s slump in form which has them second from bottom on the A-League table with five wins from 18 games.
“We had been talking about the state of the team, the state of the performances and the results and there had been discussions internally at the club in the weeks leading into it and following that discussion with Chiefy (after the game) he made the correct decision to resign,” Gill told RNZ.
“Sport at the professional level is a results business and when the results are not going right then there needs to be change.”
Italiano took the club to their highest ever finish in the 2023-24 season when they ended the regular season in second place.
Giancarlo Italiano Photosport
Gill was asked if the call should have been made a year later when the Phoenix finished the 2024-25 in 11th place with just six wins from 26 games.
“There were some things in the 24-25 season that didn’t go to plan but at that time we were confident that Chief had taken some valuable learning’s and lessons and we thought he had the tools to be able to deliver this season.
Gill said the players continued to back Italiano.
“At no time was it evident that the dressing room had been lost, the players were fighting for Chiefy and Chiefy was fighting for the club and the players but ultimately the results have just not been there.”
The Phoenix men have sometimes been criticised by commentators and fans for promoting development players rather than spending money on imports. Gill admitted there had to be a balance.
“One of our key strategies for the past four years has been the development of the women’s programme and professional football in New Zealand for females and the pathway that has been created there,” he said.
Wellington Phoenix players celebrate a goal during their 7-0 win over Sydney FC in a A-League women’s match at Porirua Park, 2025. Photosport
“There has to be investment across all of those three areas (men’s and women’s teams and development teams) and development of young players and moving them into the first team and the sale of them is not a straight-line process. There will be some years where results struggle a little bit.
“But ultimately that has not been the case this season that the strategy of the football club is the reason for the results and we will continue to develop players.”
The Phoenix men host third placed Sydney FC on Sunday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
