Wellington Phoenix have named current interim boss Chris Greenacre as the club’s new Head Coach on a permanent basis.
Taking over from former boss Giancarlo Italiano in late Februrary , Greenacre turned the club’s fortunes around as they made a late, but ultimately unsuccessful, push to secure Finals football.
HE SAID WHAT? EVERY word from your Isuzu UTE A-League coach after Round 26
The former Phoenix striker oversaw eight matches at the back end of the 2025-26 Isuzu UTE A-League regular season, accumulating 13 points to help steer the side into an eighth placed finish.
“It’s a real honour to lead this team,” Greenacre said after news of his appointment was made official on Tuesday morning.
“I feel the Phoenix is my club and Wellington is my hometown.
“My wife Lynsey and I fell in love with Wellington from the moment we moved here from the UK and my daughter Hermione was born here.
“To play for and lead your hometown club is quite a cool situation to be in and doesn’t happen very often in world football.
“I want to grasp this opportunity and drive this club forward with everything I’ve got.
MUST READ: Isuzu UTE A-League 2026 Finals Series fixtures locked in
“I’ve got the passion and the drive to do it and I just want to drag people along for the journey and lets see what happens.”
He continued: “I want to see an exciting brand of football where we create a lot of opportunities going forward.
“Ultimately the game is about scoring goals and when your team’s creating opportunities fans get behind you.
“When Hnry Stadium is full it’s an amazing place and it’s our job as a coaching staff and players to get that stadium full again.
“And one thing I will guarantee is you won’t see the players giving up. There won’t be question marks around effort. That’s just not who I am as a person and not who I was when I played.”
STAR STUDDED XI: Liberty’s Isuzu UTE A-League Team of the Week features midfield maestros
Greenacre, who has called Wellington home since 2009 when he joined the Phoenix as a player, will take charge of the men for the 2026-27 Isuzu UTE A-League season, with an option for another year.
During his playing days Greenacre scored 19 goals in 84 appearances for the Nix and served as an assistant to the first five men’s head coaches from 2012-2021.
Furthermore, Greenacre was also the head coach of the men’s reserves and head of pro development at the club’s academy.
“Greeny thoroughly deserves this opportunity,” said Wellington Phoenix chairman Rob Morrison of the appointment.
“He’s served a long apprenticeship at the Phoenix and we’ve watched him grow into a high quality coach.
“He knows the club inside-out and the hard work and professionalism he showed as a player have been carried into his coaching career.
“Greeny played for a Phoenix team that emphasised hard work and determination, kept their feet on the ground and put each other and the club ahead of themselves. They’re qualities we want him to instil in the current side.
“He has done a fantastic job over the past couple of months after taking charge in difficult circumstances and we can already see the qualities he wants in the team.
“We look forward to seeing what he can achieve over the next 12 months. I have no doubt he will continue to instil pride in the Phoenix badge.”
