Five members of the men’s first team staff are moving on.
Assistant coach Adam Griffiths, goalkeeper coach Ruben Parker, second assistant/head analyst Jordi Manning, head physiotherapist Cory Glover and kitman Jack Mapp are finishing up with the Wellington Phoenix following last week’s Australia Cup playoff match in Darwin.
Griffiths has been Giancarlo Italiano’s lead assistant for the past two years and was instrumental in the men conceding a league-low 26 goals last season.
Parker joined the club at the start of 2022 as the academy’s head of goalkeeping and quickly progressed to become the first team’s goalkeeper coach at the end of the year.
He oversaw Alex Paulsen’s remarkable rise last season which resulted in Paulsen completing a landmark move to A.F.C. Bournemouth.
Manning was appointed Italiano’s second assistant and head analyst last year and has been a key member of his staff this season as well as playing a major role in the development of the club’s analysis department.
Glover and Mapp both joined the Phoenix four years ago and were part of the support staff which was forced to relocate to Sydney for the 2021-22 A-League.
Glover served as the assistant physio for two campaigns before taking over as the head physiotherapist in 2023, while Mapp has been the men’s kitman for the past four seasons after initially joining the club in Wollongong as an intern.
Phoenix director of football Shaun Gill has thanked all five for their contributions to the club.
“They have all been valued members of the men’s first team staff and have left an indelible mark on the Phoenix,” Gill said.
“Griffs and Rubs both played a major role in the team’s historic 2023-24 campaign and Jordi has complemented the coaching team well this season.
“I want to highlight Cory’s and Jack’s contributions as they were part of a tight-knit staff that had to leave their families and friends behind and move to Sydney for seven months for the 2021-22 season.
“All five have had a big impact on the club and I wish them all the best for their futures.”
