Paul Temple has been named as Natalie Lawrence’s replacement and the new Wellington Phoenix head coach is eyeing the Liberty A-League finals.
Academy technical director Temple will lead the Phoenix for the next two seasons after Lawrence opted against seeking re-appointment following a review of the 2022-23 campaign.
The Phoenix’s second season in the competition saw the club finish bottom again, just a point adrift of Newcastle Jets with three wins from 18 games.
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“I’m really excited because I’ve been at the club for a long time and I love the Phoenix,” Temple said.
“Being part of the club for so long you build a real affinity with the staff and the supporters so it’s a real privilege to be given the opportunity to lead the team into the next couple of seasons.”
He continued: “We want to build on the strong foundations laid by Nat. There is a core group of players who are hardworking, humble and have the mentality to improve. Supporters want to see those characteristics in their team.
“The task now is now to build on that good work and take the team into the playoffs.
“As a club we’re ambitious. We want to try to make the finals each year so the target will be to put a squad together that will get us into the playoffs and push the club forward.”
Temple – who holds a UEFA A coaching license – made a name for himself when he coached New Zealand at the inaugural FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in 2008, aged just 26, while he also guided the nation to the same tournament four years later.
Having previously worked with youth teams and men’s football, he took over the women’s development group last year.
Temple is also preparing to fly out to South America for the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup in Argentina, where he is working as an assistant to Darren Bazeley.
“We are fortunate to have a coach of Paul’s calibre within the club,” said Phoenix director of football Shaun Gill.
“He is vastly experienced at all levels of the game in New Zealand and deserves this opportunity to coach in the A-League.
“We have acted quickly to appoint the women’s new head coach to give the players certainty for next season and to allow Paul to start putting together his squad.
“We believe he can take the Phoenix women to the next level and have the team challenging for the finals.”
