Insult motivates Phoenix coach as finals loom

“I think the club deserves this. Ten years ago, ‘Nix Out’ ... I think that was an insult to the club ... it’s a nice way to shut everyone up.” Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano, right

Giancarlo Italiano is attempting to keep his cool, as others around him rejoice in the heady heights of a title challenge.

But the Wellington Phoenix coach is also fiercely motivated by what he described as “an insult to the club” long before he arrived in the capital.

Italiano watched his side temporarily go to the top of the A-League Men table on Friday night in Wellington, courtesy of a stoppage-time header from defender Finn Surman to clinch the 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory.

It sparked wild celebrations among the players and the 6360 fans who cheered their side on in abysmal wet conditions.

But Italiano was restrained on the sideline, knowing there was another 90 seconds to be played and further drama was still possible.

Even after the final whistle, Italiano deliberately avoided the singing among the players in the dressing room, while happy his charges enjoyed the moment which clinched them a top-two finals spot.

“I wasn't elated, because I know we still have two games [to play],” Italiano said.

“I'm stoked now that we're going to have the opportunity to play at home in front of the Wellington crowd to get to a grand final.”

Defending champions Central Coast Mariners gained back first place on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Western United, even though the sides sit level on 49 points with two matches to play.

Top spot at the end of the regular season gives that side the easier semifinal opponent, and the right to host the Grand Final should they advance.

Wellington’s penultimate league encounter is on Friday away to 10th-placed Newcastle Jets, before ending with a home match versus playoffs-bound Macarthur FC.

The Mariners next host an Adelaide United side set to miss the fnals, and end their league schedule with a trip to Newcastle.

Italiano is already proud of “the highest amount of points the club's ever achieved, the highest position they've ever achieved”, but he realises his role is to play down the excitement and prepare his charges for what lies ahead.

“Once I digest it in a couple of years, I think I'll realise the gravity of it.

“The club gave me an opportunity five years ago that I wouldn't have got at any other A-League club, and I'm forever indebted,” said the former analyst and assistant coach.

“I think the club deserves this. Ten years ago, ‘Nix Out’ ... I think that was an insult to the club ... it's a nice way to shut everyone up.”

In 2015, the club was in distinct danger of losing its place in the A-League, as then FFA chief executive David Gallop said the Phoenix had been “squatting on their licence” by not increasing their attendance, membership or TV rating figures.

“We’re ambitious for the growth of the A-League. You can't expect to squat on a licence in our competition,” Gallop said. “If you want longevity in the competition you need to produce results. That's part of the message that's been sent with the decision to reject the 10-year licence.”

Instead, the club was offered another four years guaranteed, with a further six to be awarded on the basis of financial benefits to the A-League, improved memberships and greater attendances.

More than eight years on, the club will host the second leg of a home-and-away semifinal - likely to be on Saturday May 18 - with a place in the Grand Final going to the victors.