Wellington Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano has stepped down after his side suffered a heavy 5–0 home defeat to Auckland FC, accepting full responsibility for what he described as an unacceptable performance in a crucial stage of the A-League season.
Italiano said the team’s fragile mentality and repeated costly errors in big moments reflected failures in preparation and leadership, admitting the loss — which matched the club’s worst-ever home result — showed the squad needed “new energy” to revive its playoff hopes.
The defeat marked Wellington’s sixth straight derby loss to Auckland and extended a poor run that leaves the Phoenix sitting 10th on the table despite remaining within reach of the top six.
Italiano, who joined the club in 2019 and led it to a historic campaign last season, said bringing in a new coach now offered the best chance to refocus the group and keep the season alive, with the club yet to name his successor.
