Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Olympics
Football
Netball
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Full Noise by SN
Greenacre steps up as Phoenix interim head coach
Sport Nation •  February 23rd, 2026 11:31 am
Chris Greenacre | Photo: Photosport
Chris Greenacre will take the coaching reins for the Wellington Phoenix for the remainder of the A-League season.
Greenacre has been promoted from his current role as an assistant coach to replace the outgoing Giancarlo Italiano, who stepped down after the Phoenix's 5-0 capitulation against Auckland FC on Saturday.
The former Phoenix has previously served as interim head coach on three occasions - most notably in the upset win over Wrexham in July - and was the obvious choice to step up. He's also the current New Zealand U20s coach.
Saturday's result - their sixth defeat in as many derbies against the Aucklanders - sees the Phoenix drop to 11th in the competition standings.
As he accepted the new role, Greenacre paid tribute to the outgoing Italiano.
"It’s not the first time I’ve done this, but it doesn’t get any easier," he said.
"Coming in this morning was quite difficult for me. We have to move on quickly as a club, but you never forget what’s gone before you.
"Coming in this morning was quite difficult for me. We have to move on quickly as a club, but you never forget what’s gone before you.
"He’s a top person as well and dedicated the best part of seven years of his life to the club. I wish him all the best in the next chapter in his career and hopefully our paths cross soon."
How Auckland FC's attack differs in 2025/26 season | Sport Nation
Greenacre's first assignment comes against Ufuk Talay - his former boss at the Phoenix - and Sydney FC at Sky Stadium on Sunday.
"It’s a big game for our players from a personal perspective," he added. "When you don’t have a great result you can’t wait for the next game to come around quickly, so you can get back to what you do well.
"The players will be chomping at the bit to get back on the field in front of our home supporters and restore some pride."
"The players will be chomping at the bit to get back on the field in front of our home supporters and restore some pride."
Speaking on Sport Nation Mornings, former Wellington Phoenix FC striker Paul Ifill was confident interim coach Chris Greenacre is the right man to steady the ship.
"I know Greeny well, he'll have a plan. He's somebody that, as a player, he was super prepared. I learned a lot off of him about being prepared for games of football."
"He'll be ready. I think really it's just about galvanising the boys and making sure they know that he's got their back and he'll do whatever he can to make it work.
"I think the thing for him, which is going to be beneficial to the squad, he wants the job full-time. So he's going to give it everything between now and the end of the season to make sure that he can showcase what he can do."
Listen to more:
