Phoenix women looking for new coach

Phoenix head coach Natalie Lawrence
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Wellington Phoenix women will be appointing a new head coach with the announcement of who will take the reins for the 2023-24 A-League season set to be made next week

This will mark a third head coach for the side in as many seasons.

Natalie Lawrence decided against seeking reappointment following a review of the team’s latest campaign.

The Phoenix women finished bottom of the A-League ladder for a second straight season.

“The decision to move on from the ongoing process was a hard one, that was made due to my own personal circumstances,” Lawrence said.

“I want to thank the club for giving me the opportunity to help bring professional women’s football to Aotearoa and I would like to thank the players for their loyalty and support.”

Lawrence took over as head coach last September after serving as Gemma Lewis’ assistant in the club’s inaugural A-League season.

She guided the Phoenix to a resounding 5-0 home win over Canberra United in January and an historic 1-0 victory over eventual champions Sydney FC in Sydney in March.

Lawrence also gave professional debuts to Michaela Foster and Milly Clegg, who were two of the season’s breakout stars and have gone on to represent the Football Ferns.

“I leave with many fond memories from the past season especially; our first ever women’s professional game in this country, beating teams like Sydney and Canberra, and over the last two seasons seeing 18 Kiwis make their professional debuts, five of them making their Ferns debuts, with a further three being involved in national camps. I will now focus on helping the Ferns prepare for the World Cup and support the development of the players.”

Director of football Shaun Gill has thanked Lawrence and said naturally they are disappointed to lose Lawrence and they respect her decision.