Former England captain Casey Stoney has been named coach of the Canadian women’s Soccer team.
Stoney, who is 42, most recently managed the San Diego Wave. Stoney joined this NWSL expansion club in 2021, and she was named the circuit’s most valuable coach in 2022. However, she lost her position last June, when the Wave was going through a seven-game losing streak.
“It is an honor for me to join Soccer Canada as coach of the women’s national team. Canada has a rich tradition in women’s soccer, and I look forward to working with such a talented group of players. Together, with the new leadership of the federation, we will look to build on past successes and continue to grow the sport in Canada, on and off the field,” Stoney said in a statement. .
Stoney agreed to a three-year contract with Soccer Canada that will cover the upcoming Women’s Soccer World Cup, and that pact comes with an option year for 2028.
“We are delighted to welcome Casey Stoney as coach of the women’s national team. Her leadership experience, values, strength of character and lifelong commitment to the development of women’s Football make her the ideal person to guide our national team in this new chapter,” said Kevin Blue. , the president and director of operations as well as general secretary of Soccer Canada.
Several former women’s national team players played crucial roles in the selection process, including Stephanie Labbé, Diana Matheson, Erin McLeod and Melissa Tancredi. Canada Soccer President and Chairman of the Board Peter Augruso, as well as Sara McConaghy, leader of Canada Soccer’s Women’s Football Task Force, have also been closely involved.
The search was coordinated by Angus McNab, who also provided expertise during the recruitment process of Jesse Marsch for the men’s national team.
The Canadians, sixth in the world, have been without a full-time coach since Bev Priestman was sent home last summer following revelations surrounding a spy scandal involving the use of a drone during the Paris Olympic Games.
Priestman, assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joey Lombardi are all serving one-year suspensions imposed by FIFA for their roles in the scandal and are no longer associated with Soccer Canada.
Stoney, a defender, represented England 130 times on the international stage and captained her country at the London Games in 2012. She announced her retirement from sport in 2018, after stints with Arsenal, Charlton, Chelsea, Lincoln and Liverpool, and joined the coaching staff of Phil Neville’s England women’s team.
Soccer Canada said Stoney will begin duty in February during the Pinatar Cup, a three-match series taking place in Spain.
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