2023–24 Wellington Phoenix FC season explained

Club:	Wellington Phoenix
Season:	2023–24
Chairman:	Rob Morrison
Manager:	Giancarlo Italiano
Stadium:	Sky Stadium
League:	A-League Men
League Result:	2nd
Cup1:	A-League Men Finals
Cup1 Result:	Semi-final
Cup2:	Australia Cup
Cup2 Result:	Round of 16
League Topscorer:	Kosta Barbarouses (13)
Season Topscorer:	Kosta Barbarouses (13)
Highest Attendance:	18,002 vs. Sydney FC (16 March 2024) A-League Men
Lowest Attendance:	4,395 vs. Newcastle Jets (9 December 2023) A-League Men
Average Attendance:
Largest Win:	5–2 vs. Brisbane Roar (H) (4 November 2023) A-League Men 3–0 vs Macarthur FC (H) (18 December 2023) A-League Men 3–0 vs Macarthur FC (H) (27 April 2024) A-League Men
Largest Loss:	0–3 vs. Melbourne City (A) (27 August 2023) Australia Cup 0–3 vs. Newcastle Jets (H) (9 December 2023) A-League Men
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Updated:	12 May 2024
Prevseason:	2022–23
Nextseason:	2024–25

The 2023–24 season is the 17th in the history of Wellington Phoenix Football Club. In addition to the domestic league, the club is participating in the Australia Cup for the ninth time.

Overview

Pre-season

On 14 April 2023, it was announced that Ufuk Talay would depart the club at the end of the season. The following week, assistant coach Giancarlo Italiano was announced as the next head coach on a 2-year deal.^{[1] [2]}

On 10 May, the Phoenix announced the departures of eight players, including vice-captain Oliver Sail, Clayton Lewis, Steven Ugarkovic and Callan Elliot.^[3]

On 11 May, the Phoenix announced their first signing of the off-season in Mohamed Al-Taay on a two-year deal from the Newcastle Jets.^[4] On 18 May, it was announced that Nicholas Pennington had signed a one-year contract extension with the club.^[5] On 9 June, the Phoenix announced the signing of Jack Duncan on a one-year deal.^[6]

On 6 July, the Phoenix signed academy player Lukas Kelly-Heald on a four-year professional contract.^[7] On 2 August, it was announced that Reserves midfielder Fin Conchie had signed a three-year professional contract with the club.^[8] On 13 September, the club announced the signing of their academy captain Isaac Hughes on a two-year professional deal.^[9] On 27 September, the Phoenix announced their final off-season signing in 17-year old Luke Supyk, who had only joined the club's academy 5 months prior, on a three-year deal.^[10] Despite initial criticism, these signings came as a result of the club putting greater emphasis on developing young New Zealand players.^[11]

The Phoenix would made a positive start to pre-season with a 5–1 win over Western Suburbs in their first friendly. They would then go on to beat Wellington Olympic twice with an aggregate score of 5–1.

Australia Cup

The Phoenix progressed to the Round of 16 of the Australia Cup after a 2–1 win over NPL side Peninsula Power.^[12] However, they would then succumb to a 3–0 loss against Melbourne City in the Round of 16, getting eliminated from the cup campaign in the process.^[13]

A–League Men

The Phoenix kicked off their season on 22 October against the Western Sydney Wanderers in Sydney.^[14]

Transfers

Transfers in

No.	Position	Player	Transferred from	Type/fee	Contract length	Date
12			Newcastle Jets	Free transfer	2 years	11 May 2023	^[15]
25			Newcastle Jets	Free transfer	1 year	9 June 2023	^[16]
17				Loan	5 months	30 January 2024	^[17]

Transfers out

No.	Position	Player	Transferred to	Type/fee	Date
23			Unattached	End of contract	9 May 2023
5			Unattached	End of contract	10 May 2023	^[18]
12			Newcastle Jets	End of loan	10 May 2023	^[19]
15			Unattached	End of contract	10 May 2023
17			Unattached	End of contract	10 May 2023
20			Unattached	End of contract	10 May 2023
21			Unattached	End of contract	10 May 2023
31			Unattached	End of contract	10 May 2023

Contract extensions

No.	Player	Position	Duration	Date	Notes
13	Nicholas Pennington	Central midfielder	1 year	18 May 2023		^[20]
40	Alex Paulsen	Goalkeeper	3 years	2 November 2023	Contract extended from end of 2023–24 until end of 2026–27.	^[21]
8	Ben Old	Attacking midfielder	3 years	22 November 2023	Contract extended from end of 2023–24 until end of 2026–27.	^[22]

Competitions

A-League Men

See main article: 2023–24 A-League Men.

Results summary

Away figures include Wellington Phoenix's 4–3 win on neutral ground against Perth Glory on 14 January 2024.

Finals series

Australia Cup

See main article: 2023 Australia Cup.

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Includes all competitions. Players with no appearances not included in the list.

			Player	A-League Men		A-League Men Finals		Australia Cup		Total
				Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
3	DF		<	--A-League Men-->	27	0	2	0	2	0	31	0
4	DF		<	--A-League Men-->	27	0	2	0	1+1	0	31	0
5	MF		<	--A-League Men-->	2+9	0	0	0	0	0	11	0
6	DF		<	--A-League Men-->	22+1	3	2	0	2	0	27	3
7	FW		<	--A-League Men-->	25+1	13	2	0	2	0	30	13
8	MF		<	--A-League Men-->	15+12	5	2	0	0	0	29	5
9	FW		<	--A-League Men-->	5+7	6	0+2	1	2	0	16	7
10	FW		<	--A-League Men-->	18+6	0	2	0	0+1	0	27	0
11	MF		<	--A-League Men-->	25+1	6	2	0	2	0	30	6
12	MF		<	--A-League Men-->	17+8	0	0+2	0	1	0	28	0
14	MF		<	--A-League Men-->	24	3	2	0	2	0	28	3
15	MF		<	--A-League Men-->	20+3	1	2	0	2	1	27	2
17	MF		<	--A-League Men-->	6+4	0	0+2	0	0	0	12	0
18	DF		<	--A-League Men-->	18+4	0	0+1	0	2	0	25	0
19	MF		<	--A-League Men-->	11+9	0	2	0	0+1	0	23	0
23	FW		<	--A-League Men-->	0+4	0	0	0	0+1	0	5	0
24	FW		<	--A-League Men-->	3+12	1	0+2	0	1	0	18	1
26	DF		<	--A-League Men-->	4+6	0	0+1	0	0+1	0	12	0
40	GK		<	--A-League Men-->	27	0	2	0	2	0	31	0
42	FW		<	--A-League Men-->	0+1	0	0	0	0+1	0	2	0
43	DF		<	--A-League Men-->	1+3	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
51	FW		<	--A-League Men-->	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Player(s) transferred out but featured this season
34	FW		<	--A-League Men-->	0	0	0	0	1+1	1	2	1
36	FW		<	--A-League Men-->	0	0	0	0	0+1	0	1	0
41	FW		<	--A-League Men-->	0	0	0	0	0+1	0	1	0
52	MF		<	--A-League Men-->	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0

Disciplinary record

Includes all competitions. The list is sorted by squad number when total cards are equal. Players with no cards not included in the list.

Rank				Name	A-League Men			A-League Men Finals			Australia Cup			Total
						<	--Two yellows that make a red-->	<	--Straight red-->		<	--Two yellows that make a red-->	<	--Straight red-->		<	--Two yellows that make a red-->	<	--Straight red-->		<	--Two yellows that make a red-->	<	--Straight red-->
1	14	MF		<	--A-League Men-->	7	0	1	1	0	0	1	0	0	9	0	1
2	6	DF		<	--A-League Men-->	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	1
3	15	MF		<	--A-League Men-->	5	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	7	0	0
4	7	FW		<	--A-League Men-->	4	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	5	0	0
	9	FW		<	--A-League Men-->	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	0
	17	MF		<	--A-League Men-->	4	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	0
7	11	MF		<	--A-League Men-->	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0
	19	MF		<	--A-League Men-->	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0
	10	FW		<	--A-League Men-->	3	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0
10	3	DF		<	--A-League Men-->	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
	4	FW		<	--A-League Men-->	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
	24	FW		<	--A-League Men-->	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
	40	GK		<	--A-League Men-->	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
14	12	MF		<	--A-League Men-->	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	18	DF		<	--A-League Men-->	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	26	DF		<	--A-League Men-->	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
Total<					--A-League Men-->	49	0	2	4	0	0	3	0	0	56	0	2

Clean sheets

Includes all competitions. The list is sorted by squad number when total clean sheets are equal. Numbers in parentheses represent games where both goalkeepers participated and both kept a clean sheet; the number in parentheses is awarded to the goalkeeper who was substituted on, whilst a full clean sheet is awarded to the goalkeeper who was on the field at the start of play. Goalkeepers with no clean sheets not included in the list.

Awards

Players

No.	Pos.	Player	Award	Source
40	GK	Alex Paulsen	A-League Men Player of the Month (October/November)	^[23]
		A-League Men Player of the Month (March)	^[24]
7	FW	Kosta Barbarouses	A-League Men Player of the Month (December)	^[25]
		A-League Men Player of the Month (January)	^[26]
26	DF	Isaac Hughes	A-League Men Player of the Month (February)	^[27]

Managers

See also

• 2023–24 Wellington Phoenix FC (A-League Women) season

External links

• Wellington Phoenix official website

Notes and References

1. Web site: Rollo . Phillip . Ufuk Talay to finish up at Wellington Phoenix; new coach announced next week . Stuff.
2. Web site: Pine . Jason . Wellington Phoenix appoint Giancarlo Italiano to replace Ufuk Talay as men’s head coach . The New Zealand Herald.
3. Web site: Men farewell departing players. Wellington Phoenix.
4. Web site: Men make first off-season signing. Wellington Phoenix.
5. Web site: Pennington signs on for another season. Wellington Phoenix.
6. Web site: Experienced 'keeper joins the Nix. Wellington Phoenix.
7. Web site: Nix sign young Wellington defender to landmark deal. Wellington Phoenix.
8. Web site: Reserves midfielder signs maiden pro contract. Wellington Phoenix.
9. Web site: Reserves captain graduates into the first team. Wellington Phoenix.
10. Web site: Nix sign NZ U-17 international to long-term deal. Wellington Phoenix.
11. Web site: Rollo . Phillip . Wellington Phoenix coach on board with club’s new strategy . Stuff.
12. Web site: Wellington Phoenix debutants star with winning goal in extra-time Australia Cup strike . Stuff.
13. Web site: Rollo . Phillip . Former player Steven Ugarkovic haunts Wellington Phoenix in Australia Cup . Wellington Phoenix.
14. Web site: Feast of football continues in the capital. Wellington Phoenix.
15. Web site: Men make first off season signing. Wellington Phoenix. 11 May 2023.
16. Web site: Experienced 'keeper joins the Nix. Wellington Phoenix. 9 June 2023.
17. Web site: Costa Rica international joins the Nix. Wellington Phoenix. 30 January 2024. 30 January 2024.
18. Web site: Wellington Phoenix exodus: Oli Sail, Clayton Lewis and Steven Ugarkovic to leave next season. Phillip. Rollo. stuff.co.nz. 3 March 2023. 3 May 2023.
19. Web site: Men farewell departing players. Wellington Phoenix. 10 May 2023. 10 May 2023.
20. News: Pennington sign on for another season. 18 May 2023. Wellington Phoenix.
21. News: Young 'keeper shows his love for the club by committing long-term. 2 November 2023. Wellington Phoenix.
22. News: Young Auckland midfielder recommits to the Nix. 22 November 2023. Wellington Phoenix.
23. Web site: Presenting the first Isuzu UTE A-League Fan Player of the Month for 2023/24... Alex Paulsen! . 5 December 2023. A-Leagues Facebook.
24. News: Phoenix fans strike again! Incredible streak rolls on as keeper voted March Player of the Month. Comito, Matt. 8 April 2024. 11 April 2024. A-League Men.
25. News: Phoenix star and Mariners coach collect fan voted Player & Coach of the Month awards for December. Comito, Matt. 23 January 2024. 23 January 2024. A-League Men.
26. News: Ageless A-Leagues legend named January Fan Player of the Month as golden season continues. Comito, Matt. 21 February 2024. 21 February 2024. A-League Men.
27. News: The fans have spoken! 19yo Phoenix academy graduate voted Player of the Month for February. 2 March 2024. A-League Men.
28. Web site: Talk about a dream start to life as a head coach for Giancarlo Italiano . 5 December 2023. A-Leagues Facebook.