Rookie coach Giancarlo Italiano will bring a softer hand as Wellington Phoenix boss when the Kiwi club enters a new era.
Italiano will take his place on the sidelines at CommBank Stadium against Western Sydney on Sunday as just the seventh full-time coach the A-League Men club has employed in 17 seasons.
It's new ground for the 40-year-old Sydneysider, who steps out of the shadows as an assistant and into the senior coaching role.
It is, however, a familiar path for the Phoenix, who have flourished in recent seasons by giving young coaches their shot.
Marko Rudan and Ufuk Talay enjoyed their first senior A-League roles at the Nix and both left Wellington with enhanced reputations and the club in a better place.
Rudan will be Italiano's opposing number on Sunday afternoon in a daunting start to the season for the Nix, while Talay is assisting Graham Arnold with the Socceroos as he waits for his next senior gig.
Ex-Phoenix coach Des Buckingham has also kicked on and is now with reigning Indian Premier League premiers Mumbai City.
Italiano said he wasn't feeling pressure to emulate them.
"Even though we've had our difficulties and our issues this year, I feel like it hasn't burdened me or created too much pressure," he said.
"The pressure I create for myself is making sure the team plays a particular style and we play in a really good way.
"That's the only pressure I put on myself and on the team."
The difficulties Italiano is alluding to is a swing towards youth development with just two senior players coming in to replace the seven departing, including Oli Sail, Clayton Lewis, Steven Ugarkovic and Josh Laws.
Veteran forward Kosta Barbarouses said Italiano was suited for the times.
"He's a bit more laid back, sort of more like a mate at times. Easier to chat to then Ufuk, which is totally fine, both styles work," he said.
"The way I was mentored, it was a lot more ruthless back then.
"I'm always pretty positive to the young guys now, and that's sort of the way it is.
"He's definitely has a lot more dialogue with the younger guys ... creating a good dynamic around the place."
Barbarouses is working closely with one of those young guns, Lukas Kelly-Heald. The 1.98cm teenager is likely to be a round-one starter at left back in Sam Sutton's absence.
"He's such a big lad and I just want him to be a monster, to dominate his winger he's up against and use his strengths, his height, his speed," Barbarouses said.
Italiano's internationals this season look strong. Oskar Zawada returns despite off-season interest after a 15-goal first A-League campaign and will work closely with Bozhidar Kraev in attack.
Experienced English duo David Ball and Scott Wootton are also back, with Iraqi Mohamed Al-Taay coming in from the Jets.
But Wellington's fortunes this campaign seem certain to hinge on the quality of the youngsters that have been promoted, among them Luke Supyk, Fin Conchie and young gloveman Alex Paulsen.
Italiano said he would need to keep backing himself to play them if the Nix were to push on.
"There are going to be times this year where we're going to be tested. Things might not go our way," Italiano said.
"And it's whether I have enough ... belief in them to keep them playing. That's what I feel like I'm strong at."
