Phoenix women's head coach Paul Temple. Photo: Photosport Photo: photosport
Paul Temple is finishing after two seasons as Wellington Phoenix women's A-League coach after the club didn't offer him a new contract.
Temple will end a nine-year association with the Phoenix after this Sunday's season-ending match against Western United in Porirua.
Phoenix women's head coach Paul Temple Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Wellington will finish the season eighth, ninth or 10th, missing the play-offs for a second straight season, with Temple having guided the Phoenix to eighth in his first season in charge.
He nevertheless oversaw a period of improvement, with the Phoenix struggling in their first two campaigns, picking up the wooden spoon on both occasions and notching just five wins.
Temple took over from Natalie Lawrence, who didn't seek reappointment after the 2022-23 campaign.
Before then, he had been coach of the youth team since 2016 and moved into a role as technical director of the club's academy.
"It's obviously really sad for me to be leaving the Phoenix after so long at the club," Temple said.
"But ultimately first team football is a results business, I've always had that clarity, and we haven't reached the targets we set ourselves.
"I can honestly say I've given absolutely everything to this project the past two seasons, and the players have too."
Grace Jale celebrates with Lara Wall (L) and Annalie Longo after scoring a goal during the round 10 A-League Women's match between Wellington Phoenix and Perth Glory at Porirua Park, on 4 January 2025, in Wellington. Photo: Hagen Hopkins / Getty Images
Phoenix director of football Shaun Gill said he thanked Temple for his contribution to the club.
"Temps has left an indelible mark on the Phoenix," Gill said.
"He helped transform the academy in the seven plus years he was there and had a hand in developing a number of New Zealand's top young footballers, both men and women.
"Under his guidance the team has become much more competitive and has played a more exciting brand of football."
