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Josh Oluwayemi, a renowned football player, has become the subject of online chatter for an unfortunate reason. His astonishing blunder played a significant role in his A-League team suffering a crushing 5-0 defeat, which led to his coach stepping down immediately after the game.
Giancarlo Italiano, the manager of Wellington Phoenix, announced his resignation during the press conference following their overwhelming loss to Auckland FC at Sky Stadium on Saturday.
The coach’s departure followed a humiliating derby loss, marked by Oluwayemi’s amusing own goal that resulted in his substitution at halftime.
In the 24th minute, Oluwayemi’s error seemed destined for goalkeeper mishap highlight reels. The Phoenix’s main keeper completely miscalculated a clearance by Jake Girdwood-Reich during the match in Wellington, leading to an embarrassing incident.
Oluwayemi’s 24th-minute howler looks destined to be a permanent feature on goalkeeper gaffe compilations after the Phoenix No.1 completely misjudged a Jake Girdwood-Reich clearance at Sky Stadium in Wellington on Saturday.
Approximately 75 metres out from Wellington’s goal, Girdwood-Reich cleared a ball downfield and caught Oluwayemi out of his box.
Whether the wind played a part or not, the No.1 misjudged the flight of the ball and was forced to backpedal before heading it into his own net.
Wellington Phoenix goalie Josh Oluwayemi (bottom right) has gone viral after he made a mind-boggling mistake in his side’s 5-0 loss to Auckland on Saturday
Oluwayemi is pictured seconds after his awful own goal, which came after an Auckland player launched the ball 75 metres away from the goal
Phoenix manager Giancarlo Italiano (pictured) quit his job effective immediately straight after the match
He was also caught in no-man’s land for Jesse Randall’s second as Auckland raced out to a 4-0 halftime lead, prompting Italiano to take Oluwayemi off for Alby Kelly-Heald.
The Australian coach has spent the last seven years in the New Zealand capital, having previously served as Ufuk Talay’s assistant before getting the top gig for the 2023-24 season.
Italiano took the Phoenix to a second-place finish in his first campaign in charge.
Wellington slumped to 11th last season and currently sit 10th, having failed to win in their last five games.
‘To lose 5-0 at home with the season still to play for is unacceptable, I take full responsibility,’ Italiano said.
‘I’ve told the club, I’ve tendered my resignation.
‘I think it’s easier for someone to come in with new energy and refocus the group.
‘Even today, irrespective [of] if Josh made some errors in goals, it was me that picked him so that falls on me.
Oluwayemi (pictured) was hooked at halftime after making another mistake that led to a goal
Italiano (pictured) was furious after the final whistle, revealing ‘I lost my s**t’ with the team during the halftime break
‘(At halftime) I went in, I lost my s**t. I told everyone that was unacceptable and I just simply said to them at halftime, “You’re playing for the badge”.
‘The boys battled but the game was already gone.’
The Phoenix have also lost all six derbies against Auckland, all of which have come under Italiano’s watch.
‘I’m not a big fan of the club, Auckland, I don’t like the way they do things, but you can’t lose to rivals like that,’ Italiano said.
‘It’s unacceptable anywhere in the world. If Sampdoria play Genoa tomorrow and lose 5-0, I’d want the coach out.
‘It’s unacceptable and it’s in the interest of the club they bring someone in with a bit more energy.’
Italiano said he was looking forward to enjoying some sleep now he was out of a job.
Wellington, meanwhile, face Talay’s Sydney FC at home next Sunday.