Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano has re-signed for a further year, with an option for a fourth year as head coach. Photo: photosport
Despite a disappointing A-League season the Phoenix have re-signed coach Giancarlo Italiano for another year.
After qualifying for the play-offs last season the Wellington-based team currently languish in 11th place with two regular season rounds left to play and are well and truly out of playoff contention, while competition newcomers Auckland FC sit at the top of the table.
Italiano has been head coach for the past two years and despite only registering six wins this season he still boasts the best winning percentage of any Phoenix head coach.
In re-signing Italiano the club's director of football Shaun Gill harked back to his performance last year.
"It seems a lot of people in the sporting world have short memories," he said.
"I understand the frustration and disappointment with how the men's season has unfolded, but Chief (Italiano) has built up a lot of credit."
Director of Football for the Wellington Phoenix, Shaun Gill. Photo: Photosport
"He not only guided the men to within touching distance of the club's first trophy last year, but Chief was also an integral member of the staff during the preceding four seasons when they were finals regulars despite spending the best part of two years in Australia.
"We have faith that he will be able to help turn around the team's fortunes next season and have the Phoenix back in the top six challenging for silverware."
Italiano is "very happy" to have re-signed with the Phoenix.
"We've achieved a lot over the last two years and I'm looking forward to bringing the club back up to where it belongs," Italiano said.
"I'm forever indebted to Wellington. The club gave me my first coaching job in the A-League, and I want to leave this club in a good place.
"I want to win the A-League. Despite all of the setbacks this season it hasn't been all doom and gloom and I think there's enough there to show that we can definitely move the club forward.
"I've learnt how to manage players and their expectations on the back of such a successful season, and how to look after a young group when a lot of pressure has been placed on them unnecessarily...I've learnt how to navigate through so many different issues this year with injuries, player availability and expectation and how you balance all of that."
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