The Wellington Phoenix men have a new goalkeeper coach for the 2025-26 Isuzu UTE A-League.
Former Perth Glory goalkeeper coach and academy operations manager Dylan Cope has been appointed to the role with the Phoenix.
Cope replaces Ruben Parker, who was the men’s goalkeeper coach for the past two and a half seasons.
Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano believes Cope will be a great fit.
“I was looking for someone who has experience but is also good with young goalkeepers,” Italiano said.
“Dylan’s done a very good apprenticeship having experience with W-League, A-League and junior rep teams in Perth, and he’s also a coach educator so he ticks all the boxes.
“And more importantly and fundamentally he’s a really good guy so he’ll fit in well here with our environment.”
Originally from South Africa, Cope moved to Perth for university and he started his coaching career with Football West in 2017.
He arrived in Wellington in the early hours of this morning and is looking forward to coaching Phoenix goalkeepers Josh Oluwayemi, 24, and Alby Kelly-Heald, 20.
“They’re keen young professionals who want to get at it so I’m very keen to work with them,” Cope said.
“Working with motivated professionals, developing them and helping them reach their goals is a huge passion of mine.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some good young goalkeepers in Perth and see them through from academy all the way into the professional ranks.”
He is also “quite strong on” what he requires from his goalkeepers.
“They are footballers as well as goalkeepers so they need to be able to play as well as ‘keep.
“First and foremost you keep the ball out of the net. That’s the number one job of a goalkeeper so we need to make sure we’re doing that before we’re able to do anything else.
“But my own style and the way I coach the goalkeepers there is a big emphasis on ability to play with both feet.
“The way you play in build-up you need to be as good on the ball, if not better than, a centre back. That’s the level required for goalkeepers nowadays.”
Cope can’t wait to get started with the Phoenix.
“The opportunity to work with Chief is a massive one for me.
“Wellington’s always been a club that I’ve followed based on the fact they’re the only club that needs to do nearly the same amount, or more, travel than the Glory.
“I definitely understand the additional requirements with that and the challenge that poses, but I love a challenge.
“And growing up in Johannesburg I supported Kaizer Chiefs so yellow and black are my natural colours!”
He’s also surprisingly welcoming the change of climates.
“I’ve been blessed living in Perth where a rainy day means it rains for 10 minutes and that’s it!
“But playing in Perth at 30 degrees is not conducive to great football.
“The conditions in Wellington are an asset rather than a hindrance.”
Dylan Cope’s first match in the Wellington Phoenix dugout will be the much-anticipated fixture against Wrexham AFC on Saturday, July 19 before returning to Perth the following weekend for the Phoenix’s round of 32 Australia Cup match against the Glory.
