Vlatko Andonovski.Photo:Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Vlatko Andonovski has stepped down as the coach of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team after an early exit from the Women’s World Cup earlier this month.Andonovski, 46, made the announcement Thursday morning, writing in a statement that “it’s been the honor of my life to coach the talented, hard-working players of the USWNT for the past four years.”
Andonovski had led the USWNT to an overall 51-5-9 record throughout his tenure as the team’s coach, taking over for two-time World Cup winner Jill Ellis after she stepped down in 2019. The team is currently ranked No. 1 in the world under Andonovski’s management.
But despite his impressive winning record as the USWNT coach, the team underperformed their high expectations at both the Tokyo Olympics and this year’s World Cup tournaments under Andonovski. The USWNT’s record in major tournaments was 3-2-5.
“Vlatko worked tirelessly for this team and has been a strong and positive leader for our women’s program,” U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker said in a statement. “We’re grateful for everything he has contributed to U.S. Soccer and know he has a bright future in the sport.”
Vlatko Andonovski.SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images
SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images
Former players criticized both the USWNT’s effort and Andonovswki’s decision making throughout the World Cup, as he rarely substituted players.
“The team was disjointed, was not a unit and the coaching was not what this team needed,” former USWNT player Carli Lloyd, a two-time World Cup winner, toldThe Athleticthis week.
Andonovski also responded to criticism from Lloyd earlier in the tournament, calling it “insane” to question the team’s motivation.
Vlatko Andonovski.Buda Mendes/Getty Images
The U.S. Soccer Federation said Crocker will lead the search for the team’s next coach, while current assistant coach Twila Kilgore will serve as the interim coach for the USWNT’s upcoming matches this fall.
Ellis, the team’s former coach, told reporters on Thursday that she hopes the search for the next USWNT coach is “diverse,” perESPN.“There’s certainly good female coaches out there,” Ellis said. “So what I would hope in this process is it’s robust, it’s diverse, but at the end of the day, this is a critical hire … and I think it has to be the right person.”
source: people.com
