Phoenix Oskar Zawada, centre, stands dejected after their loss during the A-League Men’s Semi Final 1 (2nd leg) - Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory FC at Sky Stadium, Wellington, 18 May 2024. Photo: Photosport
Wellington Phoenix striker Oskar Zawada is leaving the club because he does not fit with coach Giancarlo Italiano's plans for the future.
The 28-year-old Polish linchpin scored the 99th minute equaliser for the Phoenix in their 2-1 semi-final defeat to Melbourne Victory yesterday.
His heroics coming off the bench thrilled more than 33,000 fans in Wellington on Saturday night as their season was cut short in extra time.
But coach Giancarlo Italiano said the club could not afford to keep him, despite Zawada keeping the team in the running in the second leg semi-final clash.
"You won't see Zawada here," Italiano said.
"Because we've done well this year the market has obviously pushed the value of those players up."
"I want to reinvest some of that money into some of the younger players that I want longer term."
Zawada scored an impressive tally of 22 goals for the club since joining the Wellington side in August 2022.
He scored 15 goals in the 2022/23 season, but was limited by serious injury problems in his second year.
Phoenix Oskar Zawada with team mates Finn Surman and Lukas Kelly-Heald walk from the field after their loss during the A-League Men’s Semi Final against Melbourne Victory, 2024 Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Australian media reports have linked Zawada in a move to Auckland FC, and his goal scoring attributes would make him an obvious target for the new A-League side.
When asked if he had signed elsewhere, Italiano said: "I don't know, you'll have to ask him."
The Wellington coach confirmed veteran striker Kosta Barbarouses was in his sights.
"I'm pretty confident I'll keep Kosta," Italiano said.
"He's very happy here and he deserves another contract."
"I won't speak too much to the money side because that's not for me."
Italiano suggested some A-League clubs would be closing their wallets due to financial constraints.
"Every club is in a different position. There are some clubs still spending a lot of money next year. There are some that unfortunately need to make some cuts," he said.
"We have a very good owner, a very good football committee. They put a lot of investment into the club."
"They'll want to be competitive again, again with an re-emphasis on youth, a re-emphasis on trying to build on what we've done. We'll just plan accordingly."
Wellington Phoenix director of football David Dome told RNZ Zawada would be picked up by either an A-League club or possibly from a team further afield.