Chris Greenacre has been installed as Wellington Phoenix head coach after Giancarlo Italiano's dramatic exit - a caretaker role that may become permanent.
By Felicity Reid of RNZ
Italiano stepped away from the team he had been the head coach of since 2023 after another hefty derby loss to Auckland FC.
He publicly announced his departure not long after the final whistle following the 5-0 defeat on Saturday.
The Phoenix, who have eight matches remaining in the regular season and play title-contenders Sydney FC in Wellington on Sunday, have moved quickly to appoint Greenacre for his fourth stint in the role.
Unless the 10th placed Phoenix can string wins together and get other results to fall their way, they will miss the play-offs and the season will be over in nine weeks' time.
Italiano was the Phoenix's sixth permanent head coach in 19 seasons, but this is not the first time the club has been left scrambling to fill the role.
Greenacre, a former Manchester City and Tranmere Rovers striker, played 84 times for the Phoenix between 2009 and 2012.
He scored 19 goals during his Phoenix playing days and became a fan favourite along the way.
A long-held ambition to coach started at the Phoenix in 2012 when he made the quick transition from player to assistant coach.
“It’s not the first time I’ve done this, but it doesn’t get any easier,” Greenacre said in a statement today.
“Coming in this morning was quite difficult for me. We have to move on quickly as a club, but you never forget what’s gone before you.
“I want to pay tribute to Chiefy. He led the Phoenix to their best ever season, narrowly missing out on the premiers’ plate and a place in the grand final, and that shouldn’t be forgotten.
“He’s a top person as well and dedicated the best part of seven years of his life to the club.
“I wish him all the best in the next chapter in his career and hopefully our paths cross soon.”
Phoenix director of football Shaun Gill thanked Greenacre for stepping into the role at short notice.
“We’re very lucky to have someone of Greeny’s calibre at the club,” Gill said.
“He’s a great coach and person, on top of being a Phoenix icon, and he’s done a tremendous job at the academy over the past four years preparing our young men’s players for professional football.
“These are difficult circumstances but Greeny didn’t hesitate when I asked if he could take charge. He loves the Phoenix and wants to restore some pride in the club.
“All of his focus is now on Sunday’s match against Sydney FC.”
Greenacre has served as an assistant coach under Phoenix coaches - Herbert, Merrick, Kalezic, Rudan and Talay.
He is the Phoenix academy's head of pro development and has coached the reserves team since 2017.
In 2024 Greenacre also coached the New Zealand Under 20 team.
Licensed to do the job
Coaching qualifications, in the form of licences, matter in football.
When Greenacre was leading the Phoenix in an interim capacity after Merrick quit, he was doing so in a co-coach role with Des Buckingham.
At the time, under Football Federation Australia (now Football Australia) regulations the coach needed a Pro Licence which Buckingham held and Greenacre did not.
Buckingham became the head coach and the Phoenix said Greenacre, with a UEFA A Licence, was the co-coach.
Greenacre has since upskilled and in 2022 completed the AFC Pro Diploma.
He said everyone at the club was hurting following the latest derby defeat.
“I wasn’t involved in it, but I’m still hurting. I’m a fan first and foremost.
“We want to get some pride back in the badge and what the Phoenix represent.
“It’s a big game for our players from a personal perspective. When you don’t have a great result you can’t wait for the next game to come around quickly, so you can get back to what you do well.
“The players will be chomping at the bit to get back on the field in front of our home supporters and restore some pride.”
The Phoenix are also looking for a new assistant coach as Italiano’s right hand man Kelly Guimarães has resigned too, effectively immediately.
SHARE ME