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'Things couldn’t keep going’: How derby defeat ended Italiano’s Phoenix tenure
Stephen Foote • February 24th, 2026 9:17 am
Giancarlo Italiano | Photo: Photosport
Matchdays don't come much more tumultuous than that experienced by the Wellington Phoenix last weekend.
Moments after Auckland FC had tightened their stranglehold over their compatriots with a 5-0 obliteration on the Phoenix's home turf, head coach Giancarlo Italiano took to the mic at the post-game press conference and tendered his resignation.
While the Phoenix fanbase may have been somewhat blindsided, Phoenix director of football Gill insisted he had no such reaction to his 'Chiefy's' decision - one he said had been percolating behind the scenes.
"It just became clear that things were not working," Gill told Sport Nation.
"I had a conversation with Chiefy post the game in the dressing room. It was a good open conversation between the two of us, and ultimately he understood that things couldn't keep going the way they were, and made the decision that it was the right time for him to resign.
"We didn't need to talk about alternatives, he was clear that this was the right thing that needed to happen for himself and the football club."
While the team had struggled to produce results, some moves made during the January transfer window had helped inject fresh optimism, particularly the return of prodigal son Sarpreet Singh.
Paul Ifill on Chris Greenacre | Sport Nation Mornings
But the All White lasted just one game, succumbing to a knee injury that will put him out of action for eight weeks in what was perhaps a harbinger of things to come.
Their obliteration at the hands of the Black Knights was their fifth consecutive match without a win, sinking them to 11th on the ladder.
Gill said both he and Italiano realised now was the time to change.
"There had been some discussions behind the scenes around the performance of the team and what we needed to do potentially to fix things," Gill explained.
"I had a lot of ongoing discussions with Chiefy about what we need to do.
"We bought some players in the January window. Unfortunately, we lost Sarpreet after 50 minutes of his first hit out.
"Ultimately, post the derby loss, the sixth one, which was hugely disappointing for everybody across the club, including Chiefy, he just felt it was the right time to resign and let somebody else come in and have a new voice and maybe some fresh ideas."
On Sunday morning, Gill broke the news to the squad in what he described as a "sombre" team meeting - quick to add that Italiano's departure was by no means a case of having lost the confidence of his players.
"I definitely don't think this is a situation where the coach has lost the dressing room.
Chris Greenacre | Photo: Photosport
"Right to the end, things were positive. The group was training hard, they were working hard, they were buying into what Chiefy had to say. Chiefy was trying everything he possibly could but sometimes these things just don't work.
"We were looking more positive going forward this season, sitting second on the table for goals scored, but ultimately our defensive record and some of the individual mistakes that have seen us leak a lot of goals have just not been good enough."
Having had a chance to sleep on it, Italiano (perhaps nursing a minor hangover after his viral presser admission he'd "probably get drunk tonight") was in a "philosophical" mood in the immediate aftermath, described Gill, who was adamant his now former coach would have no issues finding another role.
Their focus has swiftly shifted to empowering new interim head coach Chris Greenacre, who has followed a similar path to the top as his predecessor.
The club stalwart has experience at the helm for the Phoenix, having led them on four previous occasions this season, including a remarkable 1-0 upset win over English Championship side and reality TV darlings Wrexham.
For now, there won't be any rushing into long-term contract commitments or any other such distractions, Gill adds, with the focus now firmly on righting their ship on-field first.
"We've just got to get behind him. We're going to support him. Whatever he needs from the football club will be made available to him this week.
"We're just here to support Greeny. We want to take a lot of the noise off the table, that's why we're not sitting there talking contract negotiations this week with him. It's just an utter and only focus on what needs to be done.
"Training today, training tomorrow, training the rest of the week and then the game on Sunday."
Listen to the full interview:
