Giancarlo Italiano has signed on for another season as head coach of the Wellington Phoenix men's football team.
Italiano's new contract is for the 2025-2026 season, and he has an option to stay on for another season after that.
It's been a tough season for the Nix, who go into this weekend's round of fixtures in 11th, a far cry from last season's best-ever second. Meanwhile, their rivals from the north, Auckland FC, are placed with the chance to win the Premier's Plate — a trophy in their first-ever campaign.
The Phoenix have won just six games this season, as well as drawing six and losing 12.
Wellington Phoenix's director of football, Shaun Gill, said Italiano still boasted the club's best winning percentage and oversaw its best-ever season.
“It seems a lot of people in the sporting world have short memories,” Gill said. “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.”
Italiano said he was "very happy" to have re-signed with the club, and looked forward to bringing the Phoenix "back up to where it belongs".
“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."
He said there was "enough to show that we can move the club forward".
Italiano also believed this tough season had made him a better coach.
“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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