Wellington Phoenix will be without Oskar Zawada for the club's second season under Giancarlo Italiano after the coach confirmed the star striker's exit.
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Zawada, a former Polish youth international who joined the A-League Men in 2022, scored an equaliser for Wellington in their 2-1 semi-final defeat by Melbourne Victory on Saturday night.
It was his 22nd strike in 40 A-League matches and his last in Phoenix colours, as he finishes up his contract without an offer to stay on.
"You won't see Zawada (next season)," Italiano said after the loss, blaming a salary cap squeeze.
"Because we've done well this year, the market pushes the value of those players up and I want to re-invest some of that money into some of the younger players that I want longer term."
Italiano also revealed Zawada - linked to the new Auckland FC club entering next season - tried to break his contract.
"Oz at the beginning of the year was looking to move. He didn't get that move. I think there will be heaps of suitors for him," Italiano said.
The coach also said he expected fellow out-of-contract forward Kosta Barbarouses to "definitely" stay on.
Others, including lively forward Ben Old and goalkeeper of the year Alex Paulsen, may attract interest from abroad.
Saturday night's defeat was a bitter end to a fairytale run in Italiano's first campaign as a senior coach.
Wellington defied the doubters in a spirited campaign, finishing second to Central Coast with a club record 53 points, all with a rookie coach and an emphasis on playing young talent.
The Nix had great chances to make a maiden grand final - including a missed penalty by Alex Rufer, and Ben Old's shot against the post - but were pipped by the experienced Victory side.
"It's gonna be fuel for next year," he said.
"If we're going to be a team that consistently churns and fights for these positions, we really need to make the most of this experience ... they're going to use that in order to be successful next year."
Italiano was plainly drained by the loss, calling it a "numb feeling" that was yet to hit home.
"When I go on holidays and have a couple of vinos to myself the emotion of the season will get to me and I'll reflect," he said.
"Probably for the next week or so I just need to take it easy. I might sleep tonight.
"You watch enough football you realise the best thing about this game is the best team doesn't always win."
Australian Associated Press
