Paul Temple (Soon to be, Former WPW Head Coach)

RR

New look for the gaffer 🫡

📸 - @ImraySnaps pic.twitter.com/NOIUcQl1g3

— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) July 23, 2024

We got our own Pep

Don’t wanna worry you Sam, however also…

IMG_0951.jpeg 28.67 KB

Larry David won't consider Paul to be part of the bald community 

Had this sent to me. My days I am howling! 😂😂😂

20240723_221450.jpg 206.55 KB

martinb

Don’t wanna worry you Sam, however also…

IMG_0951.jpeg 28.67 KB

FA Cup winning manager, even better!

Chat from Upper Hutt is that Temple is gone next year regardless.
Not surprising as he was lucky to survive a scathing player review last season followed up this year with a disappointing finish, poor recruitment in key positions, inconsistent selections and general lack of team culture.
Best of luck to whoever is the next coach. Don’t want to drone on.

Starwars

Chat from Upper Hutt is that Temple is gone next year regardless.
Not surprising as he was lucky to survive a scathing player review last season followed up this year with a disappointing finish, poor recruitment in key positions, inconsistent selections and general lack of team culture.
Best of luck to whoever is the next coach. Don’t want to drone on.

Don't know how solid your sources are so I'm not sure how much I should read into your comment, but from your last sentence I'm guessing you are saying Bev Priestman is taking over?

Seems to fit with the talk I’ve heard that the squad is not a happy unit.
Priestman has been seen at most home games apparently hmmm?

Temple is more concerned with how he looks on the sideline over having any tactical ability.

For those all wanting the club to say something. 12 min chat with Dome.

Coaching announcements mens & womens both soon.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360643945/wellington-phoenix-make-decision-coaches-futures-very-soon

When was the last time there was a 'successful coach' of a womens team in NZ where the culture was good and so to were results.

We play better football under temple than his two predecessors. We lack a striker, another quality CM and genuine fullbacks.

I am looking forward to a fresh start with a new coach. I feel like the lineups change so much under Temple that it messes with player confidence and performance. Every other squad finds their main lineup quickly in the piece. Some of his selections have been bizzare throughout his tenure. I think it is telling that both seasons the team performances seemed to regress. I have found myself more frustrated watching the team under Paul than both Gemma and Nat. To have a full or nearly full import quota both seasons and not make playoffs speaks more to team management and tactics than anything else IMO.

MetalLegNZ

When was the last time there was a 'successful coach' of a womens team in NZ where the culture was good and so to were results.

We play better football under temple than his two predecessors. We lack a striker, another quality CM and genuine fullbacks.

Unknwn Quantity

I am looking forward to a fresh start with a new coach. I feel like the lineups change so much under Temple that it messes with player confidence and performance. Every other squad finds their main lineup quickly in the piece. Some of his selections have been bizzare throughout his tenure. I think it is telling that both seasons the team performances seemed to regress. I have found myself more frustrated watching the team under Paul than both Gemma and Nat. To have a full or nearly full import quota both seasons and not make playoffs speaks more to team management and tactics than anything else IMO.

MetalLegNZ

When was the last time there was a 'successful coach' of a womens team in NZ where the culture was good and so to were results.

We play better football under temple than his two predecessors. We lack a striker, another quality CM and genuine fullbacks.

I think you forget how dire we were in the first two seasons... our form at home this year was excellent, and we were never really out of a game.

Much improved performances overall.

MetalLegNZ

Unknwn Quantity

I am looking forward to a fresh start with a new coach. I feel like the lineups change so much under Temple that it messes with player confidence and performance. Every other squad finds their main lineup quickly in the piece. Some of his selections have been bizzare throughout his tenure. I think it is telling that both seasons the team performances seemed to regress. I have found myself more frustrated watching the team under Paul than both Gemma and Nat. To have a full or nearly full import quota both seasons and not make playoffs speaks more to team management and tactics than anything else IMO.

MetalLegNZ

When was the last time there was a 'successful coach' of a womens team in NZ where the culture was good and so to were results.

We play better football under temple than his two predecessors. We lack a striker, another quality CM and genuine fullbacks.

I think you forget how dire we were in the first two seasons... our form at home this year was excellent, and we were never really out of a game.

Much improved performances overall.

“Much improved performances”overall.”

Really?? The first 2 seasons we were hamstrung by harsh quotas imposed by the federation.
Temple recruited subpar strikers and injured defenders, he persisted in playing the striker to save face which ultimately cost us.
1 win in the last 10 games is a terrible finish.

As its a short pre-season for the women, you generally expect them to improve as a unit as season goes on. 
Haven't seen that in the last couple of seasons. In performance on the field or in results. 

Ranix

As its a short pre-season for the women, you generally expect them to improve as a unit as season goes on. 
Haven't seen that in the last couple of seasons. In performance on the field or in results. 

Our "Form" periods this year:
0-0-3
5-1-1
1-1-4
1-0-5

So we were really good in the period leading up to the year end.
We did something right in that period, for sure. 
But then its all turned to custard.

Elbo thinks the squad is not a happy unit. 
I suspect there will be plenty of change, including the coach, for next year, so I dont propose to go over the relative players attributes. Im not sure we will see many of them again.

The club have announced that Paul Temple will leave after the final game this season

Thank you, Temps.

Wellington Phoenix and Paul Temple will part ways following our final round match on Easter Sunday.

From the academy to women’s head coach, Temps has played a huge role in shaping the club. Thank you for everything.

Read more of the details on our website. pic.twitter.com/ImITxiIVyK

— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) April 17, 2025

Here's the post

is Chief next on the block?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360657831/wellington-phoenix-coach-paul-temple-cut-loose-after-another-failed-league-women-series

20250417_101911.jpg 639.29 KB

Statement from Paul Temple

I'd be happy with Bev Priestman as a replacement. You don't win the Olympics womens football gold just because you have some good drone footage. She can obviously coach. And I think her big brother mentor dodgy John Herdman lead her astray there.

Beckham recovered from being sent off in WC knockout against Argentina. Going from the most hated man in England to then captaining the 3 Lions. Priestman would be fine after a few weeks of media dronegate rehashing.

That is one of the classiest farewell messages I have read. Massive thank you to Temps.

Of our two coaches, I think he did a better job with what he had. I hope he goes on to bigger and better things, and I hope our team does as well. 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360657831/wellington-phoenix-coach-paul-temple-cut-loose-after-another-failed-league-women-series

The Phoenix may feel they have an ideal replacement already at the club as they begin their search for a fourth coach in five years.

Former Canada age-group coach and ex-Liverpool assistant Emma Humphries is currently heading up the Phoenix academy after returning to New Zealand when her wife Bev Priestman was banned and ousted from her job as Canada head coach following the drone spying cheating scandal which engulfed the Paris Olympics.

Fenix

Ranix

As its a short pre-season for the women, you generally expect them to improve as a unit as season goes on. 
Haven't seen that in the last couple of seasons. In performance on the field or in results. 

Our "Form" periods this year:
0-0-3
5-1-1
1-1-4
1-0-5

So we were really good in the period leading up to the year end.
We did something right in that period, for sure. 
But then its all turned to custard.

Elbo thinks the squad is not a happy unit. 
I suspect there will be plenty of change, including the coach, for next year, so I dont propose to go over the relative players attributes. Im not sure we will see many of them again.

Remember when Chloe Knott left, and someone wrote an article in the paper about "there should be an enquiry into allegations of a bad culture in WPW, and it's all going to come out later so better to do it now?" And a lot of people here had the reaction was that it was just a bunch of childish, entitled females who should just harden up?

Yeah.

Doloras

Fenix

Ranix

As its a short pre-season for the women, you generally expect them to improve as a unit as season goes on. 
Haven't seen that in the last couple of seasons. In performance on the field or in results. 

Our "Form" periods this year:
0-0-3
5-1-1
1-1-4
1-0-5

So we were really good in the period leading up to the year end.
We did something right in that period, for sure. 
But then its all turned to custard.

Elbo thinks the squad is not a happy unit. 
I suspect there will be plenty of change, including the coach, for next year, so I dont propose to go over the relative players attributes. Im not sure we will see many of them again.

Remember when Chloe Knott left, and someone wrote an article in the paper about "there should be an enquiry into allegations of a bad culture in WPW, and it's all going to come out later so better to do it now?" And a lot of people here had the reaction was that it was just a bunch of childish, entitled females who should just harden up?

Yeah.

And I supposed to know what your point is here?

From memory it was Bonnie Jansen article. Jansen is apparently friends with a number of NZ female football players. I think she played the game herself to a level around Auckland, and also worked at Eastern Suburbs doing some social media stuff

A lot on here questioned at the time whether Temple was just trying to bring in a more success driven culture after 2 wooden spoons, plus of course visa players for the first time. And whether that had at least in part, been part of the reason Knott left. I remember Canadian GK Rylee Foster doing an interview last season saying the culture under Temple was great.

Will be very interesting to see if CK, gets a gig with the new Auckland ALW team. I'm guessing she would deserve a spot on merit. But does she now have a rap as being a disruptive influence in NZ football circles? Who knows. As always 2 sides to every story.

The talk at the time was how Temple treated some players who didn’t fawn around him compared to the fan girls he had ‘special’ relationships with.
There were some pretty weird rumours floating around but who knows?
Maybe now he’s gone some details will emerge 👀

theprof

is Chief next on the block?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360657831/wellington-phoenix-coach-paul-temple-cut-loose-after-another-failed-league-women-series

One can hope.

Half a Pint

20250417_101911.jpg 639.29 KB

Statement from Paul Temple

Fantastic and classy statement.

He's a nice guy and decent coach but this side needs an overhaul and a new direction going forward. Good luck to him in the future.

coochiee

From memory it was Bonnie Jansen article. Jansen is apparently friends with a number of NZ female football players. I think she played the game herself to a level around Auckland, and also worked at Eastern Suburbs doing some social media stuff

A lot on here questioned at the time whether Temple was just trying to bring in a more success driven culture after 2 wooden spoons, plus of course visa players for the first time. And whether that had at least in part, been part of the reason Knott left. I remember Canadian GK Rylee Foster doing an interview last season saying the culture under Temple was great.

Will be very interesting to see if CK, gets a gig with the new Auckland ALW team. I'm guessing she would deserve a spot on merit. But does she now have a rap as being a disruptive influence in NZ football circles? Who knows. As always 2 sides to every story.

Him getting the push for not making the six/saving money doesn’t substantiate a crap culture in itself I guess.
Good chance he will be involved in AFC? Which means that Knott probably won’t be ha

Thanks Temps

coochiee

From memory it was Bonnie Jansen article. Jansen is apparently friends with a number of NZ female football players. I think she played the game herself to a level around Auckland, and also worked at Eastern Suburbs doing some social media stuff

A lot on here questioned at the time whether Temple was just trying to bring in a more success driven culture after 2 wooden spoons, plus of course visa players for the first time. And whether that had at least in part, been part of the reason Knott left. I remember Canadian GK Rylee Foster doing an interview last season saying the culture under Temple was great.

Will be very interesting to see if CK, gets a gig with the new Auckland ALW team. I'm guessing she would deserve a spot on merit. But does she now have a rap as being a disruptive influence in NZ football circles? Who knows. As always 2 sides to every story.

I didn't think it was Bonnie, who's a reporter rather than an op-ed type, and I was right: https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/opinion/301022820/chloe-knotts-sudden-resignation-from-wellington-phoenix-highlights-problems-with-womens-sport-in-new-zealand

Doloras

coochiee

From memory it was Bonnie Jansen article. Jansen is apparently friends with a number of NZ female football players. I think she played the game herself to a level around Auckland, and also worked at Eastern Suburbs doing some social media stuff

A lot on here questioned at the time whether Temple was just trying to bring in a more success driven culture after 2 wooden spoons, plus of course visa players for the first time. And whether that had at least in part, been part of the reason Knott left. I remember Canadian GK Rylee Foster doing an interview last season saying the culture under Temple was great.

Will be very interesting to see if CK, gets a gig with the new Auckland ALW team. I'm guessing she would deserve a spot on merit. But does she now have a rap as being a disruptive influence in NZ football circles? Who knows. As always 2 sides to every story.

I didn't think it was Bonnie, who's a reporter rather than an op-ed type, and I was right: https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/opinion/301022820/chloe-knotts-sudden-resignation-from-wellington-phoenix-highlights-problems-with-womens-sport-in-new-zealand

Alida wanted to write something on women in sport (mostly good relevant stuff) and used the Knott situation to help tie it together. She didn’t specifically comment  on the women’s culture at the Nix and only on their comms. 
I guess one question comes into it - are getting paid f all and the club culture part of the same chat. 

That Shanks article is all over the place. Very loose connections to pay equity issues at world cups, to a rumoured falling out between a player and a coach. Did she speak to Temple or Knott or David Dome?

Was she just annoyed she couldn't use that shiny PHD as a consultant, undertake an inquiry and send the Nix a nice fat $100K invoice.

Dome as CEO has his critics but he's no fool. He would have spoken to both Knott and Temple. Spoken to other players in the squad about the culture. You don't need to undertake a full blown independent inquiry just because one player leaves throwing a few parting shots.

All of this in the context that Knott is a trained psychologist or psychiatrist, with a partner and house (mortgage) back in Auckland. She mentioned the financial strain sacrifice of being paid peanuts in the ALW.

We would all like to see ALW players paid more. But Shanks makes no comment on the commercial reality of the ALW. The crowds of 1,000 or less and the very limited commercial sponsorships. I remember Dome basically pleading for a major sponsor when the Nix ALW team was first launched. He was almost angered that basically no major sponsor had appeared at all.

You have also had the annual disbursements the the clubs get, go from over $3.5M pre Covid down to a woeful $530K. And yet the Phoenix still went ahead and added an ALW team to their expense column.

I suspect if you split the Phoenix into 2 seperate P&L statements, the ALW programme half would currently be very grim reading. Yes early days, but for example the fee the club received for Macey Fraser going to Utah was tiny in comparison to what selling Surman, Old & Paulsen bought in.

Reading AV's article yesterday, the Nix have one of the better resourced setups in the ALW. Temple's replacement will be one of the few full time coaches in the womens league. Lots of other ALW staff other clubs don't have. Lily Alfeld there to look after the younger players.

The club had to fight Football Australia for years to get a ALW team. Dome seems genuinely passionate about the women's game. Long long way still to go, but Shanks should have done some better research before hitting the keyboard.


And yes Bonnie Jansen also wrote about Knott leaving.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/football-ferns/wellington-phoenix-departing-veteran-chloe-knott-reveals-her-side-of-the-story/ETVFEJTYNJA7DOGR5WYJ2DRXTM/

I liked Temple as a coach. Took the WPW team to a new level of competitiveness compared to the prior couple of years.

My only criticism for this year was his loyalty to Ferguson with all the minutes wasted with her up front. Also, why Tanaka didn't get more minutes on the park. 

LondonChris

I liked Temple as a coach. Took the WPW team to a new level of competitiveness compared to the prior couple of years.

My only criticism for this year was his loyalty to Ferguson with all the minutes wasted with her up front. Also, why Tanaka didn't get more minutes on the park. 

The results and team deteriorated as the season went on.
He lacks the basic people management skills required for a pro coach.
Unfortunately it took an extra year for WP to act.

Well at least we didnt get the wooden spoon like the first two seasons before he joined. We would have made the playoffs this year if he didnt persist with Ferguson the whole season.(albeit not many other options) 

Anyhoot, sounds like there are internal issues so bring on the next coach to build from here.

Elbo

LondonChris

I liked Temple as a coach. Took the WPW team to a new level of competitiveness compared to the prior couple of years.

My only criticism for this year was his loyalty to Ferguson with all the minutes wasted with her up front. Also, why Tanaka didn't get more minutes on the park. 

The results and team deteriorated as the season went on.
He lacks the basic people management skills required for a pro coach.
Unfortunately it took an extra year for WP to act.

Elbo

LondonChris

I liked Temple as a coach. Took the WPW team to a new level of competitiveness compared to the prior couple of years.

My only criticism for this year was his loyalty to Ferguson with all the minutes wasted with her up front. Also, why Tanaka didn't get more minutes on the park. 

The results and team deteriorated as the season went on.
He lacks the basic people management skills required for a pro coach.
Unfortunately it took an extra year for WP to act.

Last line isn't fair.

2023-24 was the first year we weren't spoon contenders, played some attacking, entertaining footy and got multiple players into good form. Yes it was easier than the first two season where we had no visa players but Temple still deserves credit for helping us make that step.

This year unfortunately has seen departees not well replaced, a dysfunctional attack and questionable selection decisions. Without veteran Longo having an outstanding season I don't know where we'd have ended up. 

Thanks Temps for helping us take this step to become competitive, but now it's time for the next step and the club has made a decision he's not the man to carry that out.

Felt like losing Speckmaier hurt the genuine challenge. A sadly familiar story of the Nix taking a risk but not getting the full rewards.