Wellington Phoenix Poised for Coaching Staff Overhaul as Five Depart Chiefy’s Squad

The Wellington Phoenix have announced that five key members of the Isuzu UTE A-League first-team coaching staff have left the club.

Assistant coach Adam Griffiths, goalkeeper coach Ruben Parker, second assistant and head analyst Jordi Manning, head physiotherapist Cory Glover, and kitman Jack Mapp have all bid farewell to Wellington following last week’s victory over Brisbane Roar in the Australia Cup play-offs held in Darwin.

The Phoenix are poised for a reshuffle within the coaching staff after Giancarlo ‘Chiefy’ Italiano secured a new contract for the 2024-25 season.

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Griffiths has been serving as Giancarlo Italiano’s main assistant for the past two years, playing a pivotal role in helping the Phoenix achieve a league-low of just 26 goals conceded during the 2023-24 season, as they narrowly missed out on both the Premiership and a spot in the Grand Final.

Parker joined the ‘Nix at the outset of 2022, initially taking on the role of head of goalkeeping in the academy before advancing to the first team, where he oversaw the impressive development of Alex Paulsen.

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Manning became part of Italiano’s coaching squad in 2024, significantly impacting the club’s analytics department. Glover and Mapp, who began as an intern, joined the Phoenix four years ago and contributed to the support staff that had to relocate to Sydney for the entirety of the 2021-22 season.

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“Each of them has been a valued member of the men’s first team staff and they have all left a lasting impact on the Phoenix,” stated Shaun Gill, the club’s director of football.

“Griffs and Rubs have both been instrumental in the team’s remarkable 2023-24 campaign, while Jordi has effectively complemented the coaching staff this season.

“I want to acknowledge Cory’s and Jack’s efforts, particularly as they were part of a close-knit group that had to sacrifice time away from loved ones to move to Sydney for seven months during the 2021-22 season.

“All five have made a significant contribution to the club, and I wish them all the best in their future endeavours.”