Soccer Shocker: USWNT Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski Resigns
End of an Era for Andonovski
The head coach of the U.S. women’s soccer team, Vlatko Andonovski, has stepped down, and an official announcement of his resignation is anticipated on Thursday. The soccer world is abuzz with the news as Vlatco Andonovski resigns and worries about what lies ahead for the USWNT.
Following the U.S. women’s soccer team’s surprising and extremely early exit from the Women’s World Cup in the round of 16 and their too few World Cup points, it became clear that Andonovski’s forthcoming departure was inevitable. The only uncertainty was when and how it would happen. Now, as expected, the soccer world is buzzing with reactions now that the decision has finally been made.
Predictable Reactions from Soccer Experts
Some soccer experts echoed the sentiment shared by many, saying that if Andonovski hadn’t resigned, he would have been let go by the federation, since the team hadn’t performed up to their potential and the talent they have.
On the other hand, some even gave their opinion that the USWNT’s separation from Andonovski should have happened years ago. They believe he was not the right fit for a demanding job like coaching USWNT players, and the signs of the team’s performance were apparent even after the 2021 Olympics. Had those signs been heeded, the USWNT could have been better prepared for the World Cup quarterfinals.
New Chapter for Andonovski, New Chapter for USWNT
Despite his resignation, Vlatko Andonovski’s reputation remains intact. The Athletic’s Meg Linehan reports that Andonovski is already receiving interest from various teams at both international and club levels. This suggests that his coaching journey is far from over.
As for USWNT, assistant coach Twila Kilgore is set to take on the role of interim head coach, but it’s likely that the U.S. women’s soccer team will embark on an extensive search for a new head coach. They are not about to let their World Cup standings fall through, nor their downfall get in the way of their FIFA World Cup scores again.
As Vlatco Andonovski resigns, the era of Andonovski comes to an end. While he leaves with a record of 51 wins, 5 draws, and 9 losses as head coach, his legacy will be seen as a disappointment. The team’s early exit from the World Cup and consistent underachievement reflect poorly on his tenure. Criticisms during the tournament, particularly regarding his substitution choices and strategic decisions, played a pivotal role in sealing his fate as coach. All’s well that ends well… not!
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