Giancarlo Italiano has stepped down as Wellington Phoenix head coach after a crushing 5-0 loss to Auckland FC in the NZ Derby.
Italiano — affectionately known as Chiefy — announced his resignation in the press conference straight after the game.
“To lose 5-0 at home with the season still to play for, that’s unacceptable and I take full responsibility so I’ve told the club I’ve tendered my resignation,” Italiano said.
“It’s easier for someone with new energy to come in and refocus the group.
“It was clearly evident what went wrong today. We conceded three very sloppy goals but it was more the mentality shift.
“Once we conceded that first one we got quite rattled and that’s probably something that is symbolic of the team this season.
“In big moments there’s big errors that are costing us and that could be down to inexperience, the older players or the younger players not fully focussing – but that comes down to me at the end of the day.
“I do all the training, I provide the environment and even today, irrespective if Joshy (goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi) made some errors in goal, it was me who picked him so it ultimately falls to me.”
Oluwayemi endured a disastrous return to the first team for the Phoenix, ultimately being substituted for Alby Kelly-Heald at half time after a blooper that went viral before the teams had even come for the break.
The afternoon only got worse from there for the Nix, with goals from Guillermo May, Lachie Brook and two from Jesse Randall heaping on the misery.
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No interim head coach has been announced yet for the Phoenix, and whoever takes charges will have to pick up the pieces from the demoralising loss in time to host Sydney FC at Sky Stadium next Sunday afternoon.
