Former Manchester United boss Casey Stoney has become the first-ever head coach of National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) expansion team San Diego according to reports on the American club’s official website.
The 39-year-old had been without a club since she opted to leave Manchester United at the end of last season and she had been widely tipped to move to the NWSL.
It has been reported that Stoney was the choice of San Diego’s president, Jill Ellis, who has been impressed by her qualities both as a player and in management.
As a player, Stoney was capped on 130 occasions by England at senior level while she netted six goals for the Lionesses. The former defender also represented Team GB at the Olympic Games London 2012. In her club career, Stoney was twice an FA Women’s Premier League National Division winner with Arsenal while she lifted the Women’s FA Cup in four occasions as well as FA Women’s Premier League Cups, FA Women’s Community Shields and the FA Women’s Continental League Cup.
In her first year in club management, Stoney guided Manchester United to the FA Women’s Championship title before later enjoying two solid top flight campaigns with The Red Devils.
After agreeing to become San Diego’s first head coach, Stoney said “I am extremely excited and motivated to lead San Diego NWSL on the field next season and beyond.
“Jill and this ownership group are deeply committed to building a world-class club both on and off the field and I look forward to being a part of creating our culture and style of play as a team. I am eager to begin work immediately ahead of our inaugural year of competition in NWSL next season.”
San Diego will begin to play in the NWSL in 2022 while the move will see women’s football will return to the city for the first time since 2003.
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