Paul Temple

PAUL TEMPLE

> History

Temple was appointed head coach of the Phoenix women in May 2023 after seven years at the club’s academy.

He started out as youth team coach before taking over as technical director and guiding the men’s reserves for three seasons.

In 2022 Temple took charge of the women’s development group at the academy, which saw his coaching career come full circle.

The “naturalised Kiwi” burst on to the international scene in 2008 when he coached New Zealand at the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Aotearoa, at the age of just 26.

He also took New Zealand to the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, as well as serving as an assistant coach for the NZ U-20 women’s team.

Temple has been the assistant coach of the New Zealand U-20 men’s team for the past two seasons and travelled to Argentina in May for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

He also took charge of the New Zealand U-22 men’s team for their two matches against China’s U-24 side in March.

Paul Temple was appointed coach of the Phoenix women for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 Liberty A-League seasons, replacing Natalie Lawrence, who decided against seeking reappointment following a review of the 2022-23 campaign.

“We want to build on the strong foundations laid by Nat. There is a core group of players who are hardworking, humble and have the mentality to improve.  Supporters want to see those characteristics in their team.

“The task now is now to build on that good work and take the team into the playoffs.

“As a club we’re ambitious. We want to try to make the finals each year so the target will be to put a squad together that will get us into the playoffs and push the club forward.”