Paul Temple Steps Down After Nine-Year Stint with Wellington Phoenix

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (PS) — Paul Temple’s chapter with the Wellington Phoenix is coming to a close, as the club announced he will not return next season as head coach of the women’s team.

Temple, who has been a pivotal figure at the Phoenix since 2016, will part ways with the club following their final A-League Women’s match against Western United at Porirua Park on Easter Sunday. The 42-year-old departs after two seasons in charge of the women’s first team and nearly a decade of service across multiple roles.

“It’s obviously really sad for me to be leaving the Phoenix after so long at the club,” Temple said in a statement. “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.”

Temple joined Wellington Phoenix as a youth coach before stepping into the role of technical director for the academy. In 2022, he was appointed head coach of the women’s side, inheriting a team that had managed just five wins across their first two A-League seasons.

Under Temple’s leadership, the Phoenix Women made significant strides, evolving from cellar dwellers into genuine top-six contenders. While the team ultimately fell short of qualifying for the finals, Temple’s impact was evident in both style of play and competitiveness.

“I can honestly say I’ve given absolutely everything to this project over the past two seasons,” Temple said. “We had a shared mission. I was determined to create some history with the team and for the club.”

Temple expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to grow as a coach within the Phoenix system, emphasizing that he is departing with no regrets.

“I’ve always believed that as a coach, you’re just the custodian of the team,” he said. “When you pick it up, you should try to leave it in a better place. I believe I’ve done that.”

Phoenix director of football Shaun Gill praised Temple’s enduring legacy and his contributions to the club’s player development pipeline.

“Temps has left an indelible mark on the Phoenix,” Gill said. “He helped transform the academy over seven-plus years and played a key role in developing many of New Zealand’s top young footballers, both men and women.”

Gill also acknowledged Temple’s impact on the women’s program, crediting him for raising the team’s competitive level and introducing a more dynamic style of play.

“He has left a lasting legacy,” Gill added. “We wish Temps all the best for the next step in his coaching career.”

As the Phoenix begin preparations for the 2025–26 campaign, Temple’s successor has yet to be announced.