| 2020–21 season | |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Rob Morrison | 
| Manager | Ufuk Talay | 
| Stadium | WIN Stadium (Due to Coronavirus travel restrictions)  | 
| A-League | 7th | 
| Top goalscorer | League: Tomer Hemed (11) All: Tomer Hemed (11)  | 
| Highest home attendance | 24,105 (22 May 2021 vs. Western United | 
| Lowest home attendance | 1,184 (24 March 2021 vs. Melbourne Victory | 
| Average home league attendance | 5,329 | 
The 2020–21 season was the Wellington Phoenix's 14th season since its establishment in 2007. The club participated in the A-League for the 14th time.
Pre-season
On 27 August 2020, it was announced that Liberato Cacace had signed with Belgian club Sint-Truidense after they had paid a transfer fee of $2,100,000.[1] On 6 September, the Phoenix announced that Callum McCowatt signed with Danish club Helsingør following the conclusion of his contract.[2] On 12 September, it was announced that Gary Hooper had departed the club following the conclusion of his contract.[3][4] On 14 September, the Phoenix announced the shock departure of captain Steven Taylor after mutually agreeing to terminate his contract.[5] Both players joined the Indian Super League, signing with Kerala Blasters[6] and Odisha,[7] respectively. On 24 September, Phoenix youngster Callan Elliot signed a deal with Xanthi.[8] On 18 October, it was reported that Matti Steinmann had signed with Indian club East Bengal despite no announcement from the Phoenix.[9] On 19 October, it was announced that Brandon Wilson would be parting ways with the Phoenix.[10] A week later, it was confirmed that Walter Scott would not extend his contract with the club, after he played as a trialist for Macarthur FC in a pre-season match.[11]
On 15 October, it was announced that the 2020–21 A-League season would commence on 27 December. On 27 October, the Phoenix confirmed that their squad will move to Australia for the start of the new campaign.[12][13] On 28 October 2020, the Phoenix announced the dual signings of All Whites Clayton Lewis and James McGarry on one-year deals. [14][15] On 30 October, it was announced Joshua Laws had signed a one-year deal with the Phoenix. [16] On 6 November, it was announced that Matthew Ridenton had returned to the Phoenix on a one-year deal. [17] On 10 November, the Phoenix announced the signing of Mirza Muratovic on a one-year deal. [18] On 30 November, the Phoenix announced the signing of Israeli International Tomer Hemed, as its marquee player on a one-year contract. [19]
Players
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
  | 
  | 
Transfers
From youth squad
| N | 
Pos. | 
Nat. | 
Name | 
Age | 
Notes | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | MF | Sam Sutton | 18 | 3-year senior contract[20] | 
Transfers in
| No. | Position | Player | Transferred from | Type/fee | Contract length | Date | Ref | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | MF | Clayton Lewis | Auckland City | Free transfer | 1 year | 28 October 2020 | [21] | 
| 5 | DF | James McGarry | Unattached | Free transfer | 1 year | 28 October 2020 | [22] | 
| 21 | MF | Unattached | Free transfer | 1 year | 30 October 2020 | [23] | |
| 12 | MF | Matthew Ridenton | Unattached | Free transfer | 1 year | 6 November 2020 | [24] | 
| 15 | FW | Unattached | Free transfer | 1 year | 10 November 2020 | [25] | |
| 17 | FW | Unattached | Free transfer | 1 year | 30 November 2020 | [26] | |
| 13 | FW | Unattached | Free transfer | 4 months | 17 February 2021 | [27] | |
| 27 | DF | Free transfer | 3 months | 5 March 2021 | [28] | 
Transfers out
| No. | Position | Player | Transferred to | Type/fee | Date | Ref | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | DF | Liberato Cacace | $2,100,000[1] | 27 August 2020 | [29] | |
| 21 | FW | Callum McCowatt | End of contract | 6 September 2020 | [2] | |
| 88 | FW | End of contract | 12 September 2020 | [3][4] | ||
| 27 | DF | Mutual contract termination | 14 September 2020 | [5][7] | ||
| 17 | DF | Callan Elliot | End of contract | 24 September 2020 | [8] | |
| 5 | MF | End of contract | 18 October 2020 | [9] | ||
| 12 | MF | Perth Glory | Mutual contract termination | 19 October 2020 | [10] | |
| 23 | DF | Unattached | End of contract | 25 October 2020 | [11] | 
Contract extensions
| No. | Name | Position | Duration | Date | Notes | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Striker | 2 years | 27 October 2020 | [30] | |
| 4 | Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi | Defender | 2 years | 29 October 2020 | [31] | 
| 2 | Centre-back | 1 year | 2 November 2020 | [32] | |
| 3 | Centre-back | 1 year | 6 November 2020 | [33] | |
| 23 | Clayton Lewis | Attacking midfielder | 2 years | 18 May 2021 | [34] | 
| 20 | Oliver Sail | Goalkeeper | 2 years | 19 May 2021 | [35] | 
| 18 | Ben Waine | Forward | 3 years | 20 May 2021 | [36] | 
| 27 | Defender | 1 year | 4 June 2021 | [37] | |
| 16 | Louis Fenton | Full-back | 1 year | 10 June 2021 | [38] | 
Technical staff
| Position | Name | 
|---|---|
| Head coach | |
| Assistant coach | |
| Assistant coach/Head analyst | |
| Goalkeeping coach | |
| Head physiotherapist | |
| Strength & conditioning coach | 
Squad statistics
Appearances and goals
- As of 25 April 2021
 
| No. | Pos. | Player | A-League | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| 1 | GK | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2 | DF | 6(1) | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| 3 | DF | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| 4 | DF | 0(4) | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| 5 | DF | 15(3) | 0 | 18 | 0 | |
| 6 | DF | 19 | 0 | 19 | 0 | |
| 7 | FW | 8(1) | 1 | 9 | 1 | |
| 8 | MF | 11(6) | 1 | 17 | 1 | |
| 9 | FW | 17 | 4 | 17 | 4 | |
| 10 | MF | 18(1) | 7 | 19 | 7 | |
| 11 | FW | 6(7) | 3 | 13 | 3 | |
| 12 | MF | 2(6) | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
| 13 | FW | 0(7) | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| 14 | MF | 15(1) | 0 | 16 | 0 | |
| 15 | MF | 3(5) | 2 | 8 | 2 | |
| 16 | DF | 12(5) | 2 | 17 | 2 | |
| 17 | FW | 9(5) | 5 | 14 | 5 | |
| 18 | FW | 9(6) | 6 | 15 | 5 | |
| 19 | MF | 3(2) | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| 20 | GK | 13 | 0 | 13 | 0 | |
| 21 | DF | 10(2) | 0 | 12 | 0 | |
| 23 | MF | 17(2) | 1 | 19 | 1 | |
| 27 | DF | 3(2) | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
Friendlies
| 20 November 2020 |  Blacktown Spartans  | 1–8 |   | Sydney, Australia | 
| 21:00 NZST | 
  | 
Report | Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors) | 
| 25 November 2020 |  APIA Leichhardt  | 1–5 |   | Sydney, Australia | 
  | 
Report | Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors) | 
| 2 December 2020 |  Macarthur FC  | 1–0 |   | Sydney, Australia | 
| 13:00 NZDT | 
  | 
Report | Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors) | 
| 6 December 2020 |  Central Coast Mariners  | 0–2 |   | Sydney, Australia | 
| Report | Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors) | 
| 12 December 2020 |  Western Sydney Wanderers  | 1–3 |   | Sydney, Australia | 
  | 
Report | Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors) | 
| 19 December 2020 |  Newcastle Jets  | 3–4 |   | Newcastle, Australia | 
| Report | Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)  | 
| 17 January 2021 |  Wollongong Wolves  | 4–0 |   | Wollongong, Australia | 
| Report | Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors) | 
Competitions
Win Draw Loss
Overall
| Competition | Started round | Final  position / round  | 
First match | Last match | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-League | — | 7th | 29 December 2020 | 4 June 2021 | 
| A-League Finals | DNQ | DNQ | 
Overview
| Competition | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | |
| A-League | 26 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 44 | 34 | +10 | 38.46 | 
| Total | 26 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 44 | 34 | +10 | 38.46 | 
Updated to match played future (December 2020)
Source: Competitions
A-League
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Adelaide United | 26 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 39 | 41 | −2 | 39 | Qualification for finals series[lower-alpha 1] | 
| 6 | Macarthur FC | 26 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 33 | 36 | −3 | 39 | |
| 7 | Wellington Phoenix[lower-alpha 2] | 26 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 44 | 34 | +10 | 38 | |
| 8 | Western Sydney Wanderers | 26 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 45 | 43 | +2 | 35 | |
| 9 | Perth Glory | 26 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 44 | 44 | 0 | 34 | Qualification for 2021 FFA Cup play-offs[lower-alpha 3] | 
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Least red cards; 5) Least yellow cards; 6) Toss of a coin in an event of a tie of two clubs.
Notes:
- ↑ The top two teams entered the finals series at the semi-finals, while the teams ranked third to sixth entered the finals series at the elimination-finals.
 - ↑ Wellington Phoenix cannot qualify for Asian Football Confederation competitions as they are based in New Zealand, which is under the Oceania Football Confederation.
 - ↑ The top 8 teams qualified for the round of 32, while the bottom four teams participated in a playoff round.[39]
 
Results summary
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | 
| 26 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 44 | 34 | +10 | 38 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 24 | 19 | +5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 20 | 15 | +5 | 
Source: ultimatealeague.com
Matches
Win Draw Loss
| 2 January 2021 2 | Wellington Phoenix | 1–2 | Sydney FC | Wollongong | 
| 17:00 AEDT | 
  | 
Report | 
  | 
Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 3,637 Referee: Alex King  | 
| 9 January 2021 3 | Macarthur FC | 1–1 | Wellington Phoenix | Sydney | 
| 17:00 AEDT | 
  | 
Report | 
  | 
Stadium: Campbelltown Stadium Attendance: 2,609 Referee: Stephen Lucas  | 
| 24 January 2021 5 | Wellington Phoenix | 1–2 | Newcastle Jets | Wollongong | 
| 19:00 AEST | Report | Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 1,742 Referee: Alex King  | 
| 31 January 2021 6 | Central Coast Mariners | 1–2 | Wellington Phoenix | Gosford | 
| 16:00 AEST | 
  | 
Report | Stadium: Central Coast Stadium Attendance: 4,748 Referee: Daniel Elder  | 
| 8 February 2021 7 | Sydney FC | 2–1 | Wellington Phoenix | Sydney | 
| 19:10 AEST | 
  | 
Report | 
  | 
Stadium: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium Attendance: 5,220 Referee: Chris Beath  | 
| 14 February 2021 8 | Wellington Phoenix | 0–2 | Central Coast Mariners | Wollongong | 
| 16:05 AEST | Report | Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 2,248 Referee: Daniel Elder  | 
| 21 February 2021 9 | Wellington Phoenix | 2–2 | Western Sydney Wanderers | Wollongong | 
| 18:10 AEST | Report | Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 3,383 Referee: Alireza Faghani  | 
| 24 February 2021 9 | Melbourne Victory | 2–0 | Wellington Phoenix | Melbourne | 
| 19:05 AEST | 
  | 
Report | Stadium: AAMI Park Attendance: 3,424 Referee: Shaun Evans  | 
| 28 February 2021 10 | Newcastle Jets | 0–2 | Wellington Phoenix | Newcastle | 
| 18:10 AEST | Report | Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium Attendance: 4,576 Referee: Jonathan Barreiro  | 
| 7 March 2021 11 | Wellington Phoenix | 3–0 | Perth Glory | Wollongong | 
| 16:00 AEST | Report | Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 2,331 Referee: Adam Kersey  | 
| 15 March 2021 12 | Western Sydney Wanderers | 4–3 | Wellington Phoenix | Sydney | 
| 19:05 AEST | Report | Stadium: Bankwest Stadium Attendance: 5,477 Referee: Shaun Evans  | 
| 21 March 2021 13 | Wellington Phoenix | 1–1 | Brisbane Roar | Newcastle | 
| 16:00 AEST | 
  | 
Report | 
  | 
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium Attendance: 1,432 Referee: Stephen Lucas  | 
| 24 March 2021 13 | Wellington Phoenix | 4–1 | Melbourne Victory | Wollongong | 
| 19:05 AEST | Report | 
  | 
Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 1,184 Referee: Shaun Evans  | 
| 28 March 2021 14 | Wellington Phoenix | 0–1 | Macarthur FC | Wollongong | 
| 16:00 AEST | Report | 
  | 
Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 2,516 Referee: Adam Fielding  | 
| 5 April 2021 15 | Wellington Phoenix | 2–3 | Melbourne City | Wollongong | 
| 19:00 AEST | Report | Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 1,343 Referee: Alireza Faghani  | 
| 11 April 2021 16 | Wellington Phoenix | 3–2 | Western United | Wollongong | 
| 19:00 AEST | Report | 
  | 
Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 1,226 Referee: Chris Beath  | 
| 18 April 2021 17 | Perth Glory | 1–3 | Wellington Phoenix | Perth | 
| 18:15 AWST | 
  | 
Report | Stadium: HBF Park Attendance: 9,229 Referee: Daniel Elder  | 
| 22 April 2021 17 | Western United | 1–1 | Wellington Phoenix | Tasmania | 
| 19:00 AEDT | 
  | 
Report | 
  | 
Stadium: UTAS Stadium Attendance: 2,528 Referee: Alex King  | 
| 25 April 2021 18 | Wellington Phoenix | 2–1 | Adelaide United | Wollongong | 
| 16:10 AEST | Report | 
  | 
Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 1,903 Referee: Adam Kersey  | 
| 1 May 2021 19 | Brisbane Roar | 0–0 | Wellington Phoenix | Brisbane | 
| 17:05 AEDT | Report | Stadium: Dolphin Oval Attendance: 5,897 Referee: Tim Danaskos  | 
| 7 May 2021 20 | Adelaide United | 0–0 | Wellington Phoenix | Adelaide | 
| 19:35 ACDT | Report | Stadium: Coopers Stadium Attendance: 7,172 Referee: Alireza Faghani  | 
| 16 May 2021 21 | Melbourne City | 2–2 | Wellington Phoenix | Melbourne | 
| 16:05 AEST | Report | Stadium: AAMI Park Attendance: 4,586 Referee: Alireza Faghani  | 
| 22 May 2021 22 | Wellington Phoenix | 3–0 | Western United | Wellington | 
| 14:05 NZDT | Report | Stadium: Sky Stadium Attendance: 24,105 Referee: Daniel Elder  | 
| 26 May 2021 22 | Western Sydney Wanderers | 1–2 | Wellington Phoenix | Sydney | 
| 19:05 AEST | 
  | 
Report | Stadium: Bankwest Stadium Attendance: 5,068 Referee: Kurt Ams  | 
| 30 May 2021 23 | Wellington Phoenix | 2–2 | Perth Glory | Auckland | 
| 13:35 NZDT | Report | Stadium: Eden Park Attendance: 22,233 Referee: Alex King  | 
| 4 June 2021 24 | Macarthur FC | 0–3 | Wellington Phoenix | Campbelltown | 
| 19:05 AEST | Report | Stadium: Campbelltown Stadium Attendance: 5,126 Referee: Daniel Elder  | 
References
- 1 2 "Football: Wellington Phoenix star Liberato Cacace officially signs with Belgian Pro League club Sint-Truiden". The New Zealand Herald. 29 August 2020.
 - 1 2 Rollo, Phillip (6 September 2020). "All Whites forward Callum McCowatt departs Wellington Phoenix for Europe". Stuff.co.nz.
 - 1 2 Radbourne, Lucas (12 September 2020). "More departures show A-League can no longer compete financially with India". FTBL.
 - 1 2 "Striker Gary Hooper departs Wellington Phoenix amid Indian Super League interest". Stuff.co.nz. 13 September 2020.
 - 1 2 "Captain Steven Taylor leaves Wellington Phoenix by mutual consent". Stuff.co.nz. 14 September 2020.
 - ↑ George, Arun (5 October 2020). "ISL: Kerala Blasters replace Bart Ogbeche with Gary Hooper". The Times of India.
 - 1 2 Krishna, Ajay (14 September 2020). "Odisha FC Sign 34 Year Old English Defender Steven Taylor". IFTWC.
 - 1 2 Rollo, Phillip (24 September 2020). "Wellington Phoenix rising star Callan Elliot to join Greek club Xanthi FC". Stuff.co.nz.
 - 1 2 "Official: German A-League midfielder the latest Indian exit". FTBL. 19 October 2020.
 - 1 2 "Brandon Wilson Parts Ways With Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 19 October 2020.
 - 1 2  Rugari, Vince (25 October 2020). "Ring the bells: Macarthur FC take first step towards A-League debut". The Sydney Morning Herald. 
Milicic handed starts to [...] ex-Wellington Phoenix defender Walter Scott, who are trialling with the club...
 - ↑ "Wellington Phoenix set to spend Christmas in Australia as A-League start date confirmed". Stuff.co.nz. 15 October 2020.
 - ↑ "'There is no option': Wellington Phoenix to move to NSW for A-League season". Stuff.co.nz. 27 October 2020.
 - ↑ "Clayton Lewis Signs with Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 28 October 2020.
 - ↑ "James McGarry Signs with Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 28 October 2020.
 - ↑ Hewett, William (30 October 2020). "Football: Wellington Phoenix sign Australian midfielder Joshua Laws". Newshub.
 - ↑ "Matt Ridenton Returns To The Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 6 November 2020.
 - ↑ "Mirza Muratovic Signs With Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 10 November 2020.
 - ↑ "Wellington Phoenix Signs Tomer Hemed As Marquee Striker". Wellington Phoenix. 30 November 2020.
 - ↑ "Sam Sutton Signs First Professional Contract with Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 29 October 2020.
 - ↑ "Clayton Lewis Signs with Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 28 October 2020.
 - ↑ "James McGarry Signs with Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 28 October 2020.
 - ↑ Hewett, William (30 October 2020). "Football: Wellington Phoenix sign Australian midfielder Joshua Laws". Newshub.
 - ↑ "Matt Ridenton Returns To The Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 6 November 2020.
 - ↑ "Mirza Muratovic Signs With Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 10 November 2020.
 - ↑ "Wellington Phoenix Signs Tomer Hemed As Marquee Striker". Wellington Phoenix. 30 November 2020.
 - ↑ "Wellington Phoenix Signs Charles Lokoli-Ngoy". Wellington Phoenix. 17 February 2020.
 - ↑ "Steven Taylor Returns To Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 5 March 2021.
 - ↑ Rollo, Phillip (27 August 2020). "Wellington Phoenix rising star Liberato Cacace joins Belgian club Sint-Truiden". Stuff.co.nz.
 - ↑ "David Ball Signs Extension With Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 27 October 2020.
 - ↑ "Hudson-Wihongi Re-Signs with Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 29 October 2020.
 - ↑ "Liam McGing Re-Signs For The Upcoming Season". Wellington Phoenix. 2 November 2020.
 - ↑ "Luke DeVere Re-Signs With Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 6 November 2020.
 - ↑ "Wellington Phoenix Re-Signs Clayton Lewis for Two Years". Wellington Phoenix. 18 May 2021.
 - ↑ "Wellington Phoenix Re-Signs Oliver Sail for Two Years". Wellington Phoenix. 19 May 2021.
 - ↑ "Ben Waine Commits To Wellington Phoenix For Three Years". Wellington Phoenix. 20 May 2021.
 - ↑ "Steven Taylor Re-Signs With Wellington Phoenix for Season 2021/22". Wellington Phoenix. 4 June 2021.
 - ↑ "Wellington Phoenix Re-Signs Louis Fenton for Season 2021/22". Wellington Phoenix. 10 June 2021.
 - ↑ "FFA Cup to introduce Hyundai A-League play-off process from 2020". Football Federation Australia. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2021.