Wellington Phoenix head coach Giancarlo ‘Chiefy’ Italiano has signed a new contract with the Isuzu UTE A-League club.
Italiano has re-committed for another season, while there is an option for a further year in Wellington following speculation over his future.
The 42-year-old Australian – who was coming off contract – will oversee his third season as head coach of the Phoenix, where he boasts the best winning percentage of any Wellington boss despite missing out on the 2024-25 Finals Series.
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Italiano oversaw the club’s most successful season last term when they agonisingly missed out on a maiden Premiership in second spot and a Grand Final berth.
“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. It’s always been the goal and why strive for anything else?
“I’m more assured now after what’s happened this season that I can steer the club to where it needs to be and we can make a tilt for the title.
“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.”
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It has been a challenging season for Italiano and the Phoenix, who are 11th in the standings with two games remaining.
The ‘Nix have struggled to match the highs of last term following the departures of stars Alex Paulsen, Ben Old, Finn Surmann and Bozhidar Kraev among others but it has been a campaign of learning for Italiano and Co.
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Italiano continued: “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.
“And overall, 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.
“I feel like I’m one year better for it and the experience has put me in a better spot.”
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Director of football Shaun Gill added: “It seems a lot of people in the sporting world have short memories.
“I understand the frustration and disappointment with how the men’s season has unfolded, but Chief has built up a lot of credit.
“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.”
