Vlatko Andonovski has resigned as manager of the U.S. women’s national team after a disappointing and unprecedented round-of-16 exit at the Women’s World Cup. Thursday’s announcement was not necessarily surprising, considering Andonovski’s turbulent four-year tenure with the program, posting a dismal 3-5-2 record at major tournaments. U.S. Soccer named assistant coach Twila Kilgore as the interim head coach for the team’s fall friendlies but will be eager to appoint a permanent replacement as the Paris Olympics are just one year away.
Whether U.S. Soccer is going to pursue a comprehensive overhaul (as promised in its statement announcing the coaching search) or a more narrow clean-up job, sporting director Matt Crocker will have his work cut out for him in selecting a coach to rehabilitate this team. A wide-ranging catalog of names will likely emerge over the coming weeks and months, with several figures already circulating as potential candidates.
Here’s who should be on U.S. Soccer’s shortlist for the USWNT head coaching job:
