Source: Radio New Zealand
Giancarlo Italiano joined a growing list of coaching casualties across the A-League. AAP / Photosport
Giancarlo Italiano’s abrupt departure from the Wellington Phoenix is the latest twist in what has become a season of upheaval for A-League coaches.
Three A-League head coaches have failed to see out the 2025/26 campaign, and fewer than half of the league’s 12 clubs have the same man in charge now that they did a year ago.
Across the football world, coaches are rarely afforded patience when results are not going their way, and the A-League has proved no exception. Since the season kicked off in October, almost every month has brought at least one coaching change.
Italiano abruptly stepped down at the weekend following his side’s heavy derby defeat to Auckland FC. Italiano had been the head coach since 2023 and left without addressing the playing group.
He joined a growing list of coaching changes: Western Sydney Wanderers coach Alen Stajcic was sacked in January, while Perth Glory appointed Adam Griffiths to a permanent role in December after firing David Zdrilic in October.
Central Coast Mariners lost coach Mark Jackson to an overseas opportunity on the eve of the season in October and promoted Warren Moon from caretaker to full-time last month.
Only five clubs have the same coach in charge at this point of this season that had at this stage last year after off-season changes to the Newcastle Jets, Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United.
Wellington were the latest to be swept up in that instability. Italiano’s sudden departure left the Phoenix scrambling for a steady hand, turning once again to a familiar figure inChris Greenacre.
Wellington Phoenix’s loss to Auckland FC was the last time Giancarlo Italiano was in charge of the A-League team. Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
Greenacre has been Phoenix head coach three times before in an interim capacity and knew well the “cut throat industry” that football coaching was.
“In the past it was needs must and I was kind of the quickest fix and this time it was certainly different,” Greenacre said of the call-up from the reserve team to main side this week.
“I’ve never been in a rush to get to wherever the end may be [in coaching] and I’m literally taking it day by day and that’s the truth.
“How this pans out who knows … the club have been really loyal to me and giving me an opportunity to grow and the club have been patient, but I think we’ve also been loyal to each other which is quite fitting.
“I want to be successful here whether I’m the long term answer or not, I don’t want to go anywhere else I want to be successful here and maybe that’s a point of difference.”
Despite having been in discussions with Phoenix’s director of football Shaun Gill for a while before Italiano left, Greenacre was wary that those who ran clubs could change their mind on appointments.
“I understand how football works and the sooner you get carried away with it it’ll bite you on the backside.”
Auckland FC coach Steve Corica. Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
Auckland FC’s Steve Corica has been a head coach in the A-League since 2018. He arrived in Auckland for the club’s first season in 2024/25 after being fired by Sydney FC just weeks into the season prior due a run of losses.
“I don’t like any coach getting the sack, it’s always hard,” Corica said.
Corica did not think Italiano would be the last A-League coach out before next season.
He said a change of coach always had an impact on a club.
“Sometimes for the good and sometimes not so.
“It’s like players, coaches are the same, [club owners] are looking at strengthening their squad so decisions need to be made and I’m sure there’s going to be some turnaround probably next year as well.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
