Wellington Phoenix Men

Hail ___ the Chief - Giancarlo Italiano

1664 replies · 125,151 views
about 1 month ago · edited about 1 month ago · History
Chiefy's a solid bloke clearly loves the game and gave the club all he could. It did feel like his management style and tactics have been circling the drain for a long while now. A lot of the last two years of his tenure felt like treating symptoms not underlying cause. It was real whack-a-mole and on the backfoot stuff, concentrating on putting out one fire out here while 3 more fires started up over there. In the end there were too many short-comings on and off the field be able to effectively stay across and manage all issues and problems.

Despite the frustrations of the last two seasons I absolutely have nothing against the bloke, and appreciate the highs he has managed to achieve such as the first season performance, the analytical work done under Talay, and the development of young players he has brought into the fold such as Hughes and Piper. Wish him every success in his career going forward and truly hope he lands on his feet. Also looking forward to the mens team at our club being able to take on a fresh start and rise above.
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Endorsed by ballane, Bullion, coyn3864, kwlap and 9 others

about 1 month ago
I just watched the presser, I turned it off at the part where chief said he thinks we were only outplayed one game this season and that was against victory. Dillusional.
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Endorsed by Elemenop, Monto

about 1 month ago
imanixsupporter
I am sick of us giving Aussie rookies their first go at A-League coaching, I want somebody more accomplished and experienced this time (I know we probably will be getting another Aussie rookie though)

There were some testing times, but I have some good memories under the experienced Ricki Herbert 

Central Hawkes Bay Nix
and tragic follower of Charlton Athletic 
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about 1 month ago
I can’t wait to see the team playing next week.
I‘m pretty sure they play simply passionate straightforward football.
We may lose, but they will give it all and this is good enough for me.
Italiano will have a bad few weeks and then will dive into the next thing, failure is also a chance, he’ll be fine.
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Endorsed by coyn3864, LT01, Oi Oi Edgecumbe, WhoStoleMySock

about 1 month ago
TVNZ sport spoke to Alex Paulsen, he had only positive things to say about Chief.  Good to see.
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Endorsed by ballane, brookem, dunnix, LG and 8 others

about 1 month ago
Procrastinixing
TVNZ sport spoke to Alex Paulsen, he had only positive things to say about Chief.  Good to see.
must have cut anything good to say for the doco though
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Endorsed by capitalbikes, coyn3864, Southernix, WhoStoleMySock

about 1 month ago · edited about 1 month ago · History
I'd love for us to have our first kiwi (born or naturalised) in pretty much exactly 13 years (Herbert finished 24th Feb '13).

We've had a bunch of foreigners (Australian and European) since who have achieved zip. Another kiwi couldn't do any worse then most of them did.

Its not normal for a club to go that long without a local manager outside of the EPL. Time for the club to show us it has developed coaches as well as players.
Supporter of the world's best football teams: Waikato..., Kingz FC, NZ Knights, The Nix, The Argyle & of course the All Whites

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about 1 month ago
Procrastinixing
TVNZ sport spoke to Alex Paulsen, he had only positive things to say about Chief.  Good to see.

Have you seen the videos of Paulsen playing out from the back as a kid? 

Phenomenal. He’s spent all this effort training to be this kind of keeper and Chief used this ability.

Absolutely wasted at Auckland and at his club now (I’m guessing.)


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Endorsed by brookem, Doloras, LG, LT01 and 3 others

about 1 month ago · edited about 1 month ago · History
Marto
I'd love for us to have our first kiwi (born or naturalised) in pretty much exactly 13 years (Herbert finished 24th Feb '13).

We've had a bunch of foreigners (Australian and European) since who have achieved zip. Another kiwi couldn't do any worse then most of them did.

Its not normal for a club to go that long without a local manager outside of the EPL. Time for the club to show us it has developed coaches as well as players.

Not sure this is the most important issue at the moment.  Quality has no nationality.   At the end of the day this is the Australian league and we play in it.  An Australian player or coach are treated as locals. And like it or not, Aussies simply have more decent coaches (including at lower levels) than we do, so I would not exclude any of them if they were the right fit.

Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days

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Endorsed by brookem, dunnix, LT01, Nixieboys222 and 6 others

about 1 month ago · edited about 1 month ago · History
Marto
I'd love for us to have our first kiwi (born or naturalised) in pretty much exactly 13 years (Herbert finished 24th Feb '13).

We've had a bunch of foreigners (Australian and European) since who have achieved zip. Another kiwi couldn't do any worse then most of them did.

Its not normal for a club to go that long without a local manager outside of the EPL. Time for the club to show us it has developed coaches as well as players.
Steve Cain or back to Ricki Herbert then? No other Kiwis have the badges
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Endorsed by nixin, reg22

about 1 month ago
Wonder if we could go like the UK panel shows and have a rotating guest coach each week.

It’d be bludy novel at least! 


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Endorsed by LG, Silent

about 1 month ago
andrewvoerman
Marto
I'd love for us to have our first kiwi (born or naturalised) in pretty much exactly 13 years (Herbert finished 24th Feb '13).

We've had a bunch of foreigners (Australian and European) since who have achieved zip. Another kiwi couldn't do any worse then most of them did.

Its not normal for a club to go that long without a local manager outside of the EPL. Time for the club to show us it has developed coaches as well as players.
Steve Cain or back to Ricki Herbert then? No other Kiwis have the badges
Olli Harder? Cam Knowles (won’t happen of course)?
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Endorsed by Marto

about 1 month ago
Someone mentioned Rob Stanton a while back - he's not a kiwi but he built the blocks for what Milligan is doing now at the Jets. Would be good I reckon, especially with a board that backs him.

Or the Heidelburg guy.

Or (think big) Jurgen Klopp - I'm sure he could fit in coaching the Nix around shooting Trivago ads (which are probably more lucrative to him).


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Endorsed by coochiee, Southernix, WhoStoleMySock

about 1 month ago
andrewvoerman
Marto
I'd love for us to have our first kiwi (born or naturalised) in pretty much exactly 13 years (Herbert finished 24th Feb '13).

We've had a bunch of foreigners (Australian and European) since who have achieved zip. Another kiwi couldn't do any worse then most of them did.

Its not normal for a club to go that long without a local manager outside of the EPL. Time for the club to show us it has developed coaches as well as players.
Steve Cain or back to Ricki Herbert then? No other Kiwis have the badges


Wow, is that for real? I thought Chris Milicich might do as well maybe.

As usual, great info AV, really good to know. Thank you.

360footballnews.com

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about 1 month ago · edited about 1 month ago · History
If Welnix want a more name coach, that might help lure in some better Aussie players to the Nix - Carl Veart.

Veart always seemed pretty fiery, and might not suit the Phoenix as a club?

He now coaches the Aussie Under 17s.
Adelaide always seemed to produce a strong line of quality youngsters during his time there.
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Endorsed by martinb, nixin, Oi Oi Edgecumbe, WanderingSheep

about 1 month ago
Putting another name into the mix with no proof behind it: Peter Cklamovski

Currently coaching Malaysia after a few years with Japanese clubs
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about 1 month ago
coochiee
If Welnix want a more name coach, that might help lure in some better Aussie players to the Nix - Carl Veart.

Veart always seemed pretty fiery, and might not suit the Phoenix as a club?

He now coaches the Aussie Under 17s.
Adelaide always seemed to produce a strong line of quality youngsters during his time there.

No.

If you want the same comments about interesting line-up choices, go with Carl. Sure, he'll play the kids- but that's all that will align. His victim complex is unmatched.
Adelaide's resident Nix supporter
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about 1 month ago
WhoStoleMySock
coochiee
If Welnix want a more name coach, that might help lure in some better Aussie players to the Nix - Carl Veart.

Veart always seemed pretty fiery, and might not suit the Phoenix as a club?

He now coaches the Aussie Under 17s.
Adelaide always seemed to produce a strong line of quality youngsters during his time there.

No.

If you want the same comments about interesting line-up choices, go with Carl. Sure, he'll play the kids- but that's all that will align. His victim complex is unmatched.
A real hot head too. His tendency towards sideline explosions at everything and nothing was ridiculous. Not sure if he's a good fit for the club. 

But I do think he is a much smarter coach than just "playing the kids". Firstly his teams always had a core of very experienced local and overseas pros; secondly, it's hardly surprising he did play so many kids as Adelaide has for years now produced a long list of hot young talent that might not have seen the light of day without a coach like Veart. And I can't remember a time when the Reds were a boring team to watch either.
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Endorsed by coochiee, LT01, Monto, nixin and 2 others

about 1 month ago
There’s talk of Stanton to Perth next season, which would make Adam Griffiths a possibility.

Familiar with the club and that familiarity plus his record with Perth this season would give the club a good idea of what they might get.

His results with Perth have been pretty mixed but could be worth a go?
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about 1 month ago
I think we need to be done with "worth a go" options, we need to have more assurance.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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Endorsed by dairyflat, dunnix, LT01, martinb and 4 others

about 1 month ago · edited about 1 month ago · History
theprof
I think we need to be done with "worth a go" options, we need to have more assurance.

I am with theprof on that.  Italiano quit not because he was a terrible coach, but because he was not good enough at this level, and he finally recognised it, after one and a half seasons. He is not bad, just not good enough.
Anybody who is "worth a go" is unlikely to lift the existing squad above the mediocrity we've seen lately.  They are not all terrible players; some are simply pretty average and we've built a team of them with some bright sparks and some duds. But add yet another 'average' coach into the mix and I will be the first one to start slashing my wrists with a copy of the matchday program handout.
theprof
I think we need to be done with "worth a go" options, we need to have more assurance.

Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days

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Endorsed by WanderingSheep

about 1 month ago
Mainland FC
theprof
I think we need to be done with "worth a go" options, we need to have more assurance.

I am with theprof on that.  Italiano quit not because he was a terrible coach, but because he was not good enough at this level, and he finally recognised it. after one and a half seasons. He is not bad, just not good enough.
Anybody who is "worth a go" is unlikely to lift the existing squad above the mediocrity we've seen lately.  They are not all terrible players; some are simply pretty average and we've built a team of them with some bright sparks and some duds. But add yet another 'average' coach into the mix and I will be the first one to start slashing my wrists with a copy of the matchday program handout.
theprof
I think we need to be done with "worth a go" options, we need to have more assurance.
that's also the kind of attitude that would see Milligan never getting a go, or Mark Jackson, or Montgomery, or an Ange etc.
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Endorsed by Bevan, coyn3864, Mainland FC, mjp2 and 2 others

about 1 month ago
theprof
I think we need to be done with "worth a go" options, we need to have more assurance.
I agree, I think we have gotten lucky previously with Rudan and Talay (Rudan worked out regardless of the end). Talay was phenomenal and I think Chiefy's time here will mirror Arne Slot at Liverpool. 

Great first season using the previous managers work, average-poor second season where that was time for Chiefy to go (but lack of viable options got him a third season/unlike Slot IMO), third season turned bad results wise.

Fair dinkum for him to resign as I don't think the club would have sacked him IMO. Maybe he might just be a good #2/3 and there is nothing wrong with that.
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Endorsed by nixin

about 1 month ago · edited about 1 month ago · History
observerfromuh
theprof
I think we need to be done with "worth a go" options, we need to have more assurance.
I agree, I think we have gotten lucky previously with Rudan and Talay (Rudan worked out regardless of the end). Talay was phenomenal and I think Chiefy's time here will mirror Arne Slot at Liverpool. 

Great first season using the previous managers work, average-poor second season where that was time for Chiefy to go (but lack of viable options got him a third season/unlike Slot IMO), third season turned bad results wise.

Fair dinkum for him to resign as I don't think the club would have sacked him IMO. Maybe he might just be a good #2/3 and there is nothing wrong with that.
This feels like massive rose tinted glasses with Talay. I strongly remember how fragile our defence was under him. One of the worst games ive ever watched was under Talay, when we were up 2-0 against Western United at home. After we failed to go 3 up in the second half I distinctly remember we looked like we were going to lose before they even scored one. It felt inevitable when it happened.

Don't get me wrong, good coach but not good enough to want him back. Don't think he even comes close to Corica and the Sydney fans know it. Hot take maybe but Rudan was better, or at least maybe less frustrating than Talay's dogged tactical mentality. Fudge Rudan though.
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Endorsed by ballane, brookem, LT01, Mainland FC and 3 others

about 1 month ago
anaveragestem
observerfromuh
theprof
I think we need to be done with "worth a go" options, we need to have more assurance.
I agree, I think we have gotten lucky previously with Rudan and Talay (Rudan worked out regardless of the end). Talay was phenomenal and I think Chiefy's time here will mirror Arne Slot at Liverpool. 

Great first season using the previous managers work, average-poor second season where that was time for Chiefy to go (but lack of viable options got him a third season/unlike Slot IMO), third season turned bad results wise.

Fair dinkum for him to resign as I don't think the club would have sacked him IMO. Maybe he might just be a good #2/3 and there is nothing wrong with that.
This feels like massive rose tinted glasses with Talay. I strongly remember how fragile our defence was under him. One of the worst games ive ever watched was under Talay, when we were up 2-0 against Western United at home. After we failed to go 3 up in the second half I distinctly remember we looked like we were going to lose before they even scored one. It felt inevitable when it happened.

Don't get me wrong, good coach but not good enough to want him back. Don't think he even comes close to Corica and the Sydney fans know it. Hot take maybe but Rudan was better, or at least maybe less frustrating than Talay's dogged tactical mentality. Fudge Rudan though.
You're right regarding Talay, I just think that Talay was a good appointment. Your spot on regarding Corica and Sydney. 

all Rudan had to do was resign for a new opportunity and leave quietly. 
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Endorsed by anaveragestem, Mainland FC

about 1 month ago
Talay got massive financial backing and his last two seasons with us were mediocre. His Sydney side massively underperformed last season and you could argue that they are still underperforming given their resources. His only decent season was his first season for us and it ended really poorly. I don't rate him at all. 
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about 1 month ago
I think Talay was a good appointment. Given the budget and squad he had, it probably worked out on a par or just below. I didn't like his stodgy style of football which relied heavily on half wingers in the 10 space.

I don't think we've played good football since Rudan.

360footballnews.com

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Endorsed by LG, nixin

about 1 month ago
imanixsupporter
Talay got massive financial backing and his last two seasons with us were mediocre. His Sydney side massively underperformed last season and you could argue that they are still underperforming given their resources. His only decent season was his first season for us and it ended really poorly. I don't rate him at all. 
Think you really understate what he achieved his team was really in the hunt and arguably could have won it but for Covid. Took the team to finals 3 out of 4 years from memory . Bit rough to say that season ended poorly given what happened at the end playing away from home with a key player injured.
Introduced us to some of the best players to play for the Phoenix and much of it having to be done with no home games or fans. 

GET YOUR SHIRTS OFF FOR THE BOYS

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Endorsed by Bullion, coochiee, LT01, Mainland FC and 3 others

about 1 month ago
imanixsupporter
Talay got massive financial backing and his last two seasons with us were mediocre. His Sydney side massively underperformed last season and you could argue that they are still underperforming given their resources. His only decent season was his first season for us and it ended really poorly. I don't rate him at all. 
 We didnt finish lower than 7th in four seasons most of which was played away from home, played some super football at times in S1 and S3, the only cross against his name is he didn't win a finals match.
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Endorsed by Bullion, Mainland FC, Southernix, WanderingSheep and 1 other

about 1 month ago
imanixsupporter
Oh how could I forget when we won the didnt finish below 7th in 4 years trophy
could have been mv who finished 10th, 12th and 11th those 4 seasons. Or jets that have made the finals once in the previous 15 seasons. 
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Endorsed by brookem, coochiee, LT01, Mainland FC and 4 others

about 1 month ago
Bullion
imanixsupporter
Oh how could I forget when we won the didnt finish below 7th in 4 years trophy
could have been mv who finished 10th, 12th and 11th those 4 seasons. Or jets that have made the finals once in the previous 15 seasons. 
 Jets is an interesting one for our fans as it seems likely they'll win this year, would we trade the last 15 seasons of Jets history with a title this season for ours?
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Endorsed by LT01, martinb, WanderingSheep

about 1 month ago · edited about 1 month ago · History
This is a game we’ve played with Central Coast too. A number of titles and some barren years of wooden spoons and being pumped 8-2.

If there was some magic to buy, the Victory would try to buy it. 

A good academy is one way to where the Jets are and where CC were. But they also had Nick Montgomery and the Jets Stanton and Milligan. 

(And of course for the other thread, one way to observe that we had things in financial order was we propped up the Jets with financial assistance. )

It’s a salary capped league. No one should dominate. 

Corica also went off the boil at Sydney. 

And if you regularly win trophies it’s shown you become unhappy quickly if you drop to 3rd or lose a couple of games. 

Sure it’d be nice to have won once or twice by now, but also we haven’t had the lean and desperate periods other clubs have had. These last two years are really our first taste and imo this year has been an improvement on last season, though I know that’s not a universally shared opinion.

You gotta get more from the football than just trophies, though yeh I know it’d be great if we got one every now and again. 


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Endorsed by brookem, LT01, Mainland FC, queenofthequail

about 1 month ago
Well I wonder if all the Chiefy knockers will continue to blame him or praise him for the results for the rest of the season?? Basic football skills like passing to another player of your own team, trapping a ball, heading a ball, FFS these guys are professionals and they let the coach down. The tactics were sound but the players inability to perform them is what cost us. The players need to man up. I don't want apologies, I want better, more professional performances.

So we have Chris till the end of the season. Names to be put forward? Well Chris is one, Ross or John Aloisi are 2 more. I'd love the coach from Heidleberg. They played some fantastic football. 

And if we really want to wind AFC fans up, make an audacious bid for Corica.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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Endorsed by brookem

about 1 month ago
LG
Well I wonder if all the Chiefy knockers will continue to blame him or praise him for the results for the rest of the season?? Basic football skills like passing to another player of your own team, trapping a ball, heading a ball, FFS these guys are professionals and they let the coach down. The tactics were sound but the players inability to perform them is what cost us. The players need to man up. I don't want apologies, I want better, more professional performances.

So we have Chris till the end of the season. Names to be put forward? Well Chris is one, Ross or John Aloisi are 2 more. I'd love the coach from Heidleberg. They played some fantastic football. 

And if we really want to wind AFC fans up, make an audacious bid for Corica.
Don't worry I'll go right at the players if they don't perform under Greenacre on Sunday.
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Endorsed by Fenix, reg22, WanderingSheep, WhoStoleMySock

about 1 month ago
imanixsupporter
Oh how could I forget when we won the didnt finish below 7th in 4 years trophy

Given the club has finished below 7th in nearly half the seasons we've played, and the fact that Uffie coached the team all the way through COVID, including when the club was pretty tight with player spending, this is actually pretty notable for people who have a less sarcastic insight on football than you.
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Endorsed by cheesecake, mjp2, queenofthequail, Tyborg and 1 other

about 1 month ago
imanixsupporter
Oh how could I forget when we won the didnt finish below 7th in 4 years trophy

People solely focussed on trophies are one of the worst types of modern football fans. Everyone wants to win ffs but it's not win or bust let's be serious for a second.
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Endorsed by brookem, Bullion, cheesecake, Mainland FC and 9 others

about 1 month ago
LG
Well I wonder if all the Chiefy knockers will continue to blame him or praise him for the results for the rest of the season?? Basic football skills like passing to another player of your own team, trapping a ball, heading a ball, FFS these guys are professionals and they let the coach down. The tactics were sound but the players inability to perform them is what cost us. The players need to man up. I don't want apologies, I want better, more professional performances.

So we have Chris till the end of the season. Names to be put forward? Well Chris is one, Ross or John Aloisi are 2 more. I'd love the coach from Heidleberg. They played some fantastic football. 

And if we really want to wind AFC fans up, make an audacious bid for Corica.

I'm afraid you totally lost me at "the tactics were sound..."
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about 1 month ago
wilbaker
Bullion
imanixsupporter
Oh how could I forget when we won the didnt finish below 7th in 4 years trophy
could have been mv who finished 10th, 12th and 11th those 4 seasons. Or jets that have made the finals once in the previous 15 seasons. 
 Jets is an interesting one for our fans as it seems likely they'll win this year, would we trade the last 15 seasons of Jets history with a title this season for ours?

Yes.

Three for me, and two for them.

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