Chris Greenacre new Phoenix interim coach
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Chris Greenacre has taken on the role of head coach at the Wellington Phoenix following the abrupt departure of Giancarlo Italiano.
Greenacre is stepping up from his role at the Phoenix academy, where he has been the head of pro development and men's reserves head coach for the past four seasons.
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He is in ongoing discussions with the club about the head coaching position for rest of the A-League season and beyond.
Italiano quit after Saturday's 5-0 loss to Auckland FC. The Australian had been with the Phoenix since 2019 and head coach since 2023.
This is Greenacre's fourth time as an interim coach for the Phoenix.
He filled in after the club's first coach, Ricki Herbert, resigned during the season after a run of poor results in 2013.
In 2016 he was called on again, in a co-coach role with Des Buckingham, after Ernie Merrick also left during the season and again during the 2017/18 season to fill in when Darije Kalezic exited after a breakdown in contract negotiations.
Over his time with the club, Greenacre has served as an assistant coach under Herbert, Merrick, Kalezic, Mark Rudan and Ufuk Talay.
Greenacre arrived at the Phoenix as a player in 2009 and made 84 appearances and scored 19 goals before hanging up his boots in 2012.
He has worked towards his coaching qualifications and is now one of the few coaches in New Zealand to hold a Pro Diploma after completing the course in 2022.
Greenacre's first task will be preparing the team for Sunday's home game against Sydney FC.
