Wellington Phoenix's former boss Giancarlo Italiano has landed a new job in Hong Kong. The Australian manager, known as Chief, will lead Lee Man into its new chapter. Italiano quit his job with Wellington Phoenix in February after a 5-0 home defeat by Auckland FC. He had been in charge of the New Zealanders for 2½ years. During his tenure, Italiano led Wellington to their best A-League finish, coming second in the 2023-24 season. Norman Lee Man-yan, the club president, had previously stated his preference for a European candidate with experience in Indonesia and the Middle East. However, Italiano's appointment marks a new direction for the club. The 43-year-old's contract details have not been disclosed, but he has been tasked with enhancing competitiveness on and off the pitch. Italiano's experience in the A-League will likely be valuable in his new role. He will be expected to bring a new perspective to the team and improve their performance. The appointment ends Lee Man's three-month search for a new head coach. One manager had previously rejected the post due to disagreements over the package. Italiano's new role is a significant development in his career, and it will be interesting to see how he performs in Hong Kong.