MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 06: Vlatko Andonovski, Head Coach of USA, speaks to the media in the … [+] post match press conference following the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Sweden and USA at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 06, 2023 in Melbourne / Naarm, Australia. (Photo by Alex Grimm – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
FIFA via Getty ImagesU.S. Soccer made official on Thursday what had been expected since the moment the women’s national team bowed out in the Round of 16 at the 2023 Women’s World Cup: Vlatko Andonovski has stepped down as head coach of the team following the disappointing result.
“All of us at U.S. Soccer thank Vlatko for his dedication to our Women’s National Team over the past four years,” said U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker, who will lead the search for Andonovski’s replacement. “Vlatko worked tirelessly for this team and has been a strong and positive leader for our women’s program. We’re grateful for everything he has contributed to U.S. Soccer and know he has a bright future in the sport.”
Twila Kilgore, the first woman to earn a U.S. Soccer Pro Coaching License and assistant to Andonovski for the past year-plus, will lead the team on an interim basis while the search for a permanent replacement begins.
Andonovski became the ninth head coach of the team back in October 2019, tasked with following the legendary tenure of Jill Ellis, who won World Cups with the USWNT in both 2015 and 2019.
A 51-5-9 record as head coach doesn’t really tell the full story, since the United States measures itself in terms of trophies, not wins. The Round of 16 exit in the 2023 World Cup, paired with a third-place finish in the 2020 Olympics, helped ensure the end of his time as head coach.
“It’s been the honor of my life to coach the talented, hard-working players of the USWNT for the past four years,” said Andonovski. “I’m very optimistic for the future of this program, especially considering all the young players that got opportunities over the past few years who will no doubt be leaders and impact players moving forward. While we are all disappointed by the outcome at this year’s World Cup, I am immensely proud of the progress this team has made, the support they’ve shown for each other, and the inspiration they’ve provided for players around the world. I will be forever thankful to the U.S. Soccer Federation for giving me the chance to coach this remarkable team.”
Kilgore is expected to coach the team for at least the upcoming friendlies against South Africa on September 21 in Cincinnati and September 24 in Chicago.
From there, a new era will begin, with just a few months until the team for the 2024 Olympics in Paris needs to be assembled.
“It’s imperative that we continue to evolve and innovate, and we are excited about the path that lies ahead,” said Crocker. “We understand the challenges and have engaged with stakeholders from various corners of our sport – players, coaches, and other individuals within the soccer landscape. The insights and perspectives gathered during these discussions have been instrumental in shaping our forward-looking plan. Our commitment to excellence remains unshakeable, and we believe this strategic plan will set the foundation for our Women’s National Team to achieve greater heights in the years to come.“
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