- Stoney opens up on San Diego sacking
- Coach delivered NWSL Shield & Challenge Cup
- Wanted more ‘time’ to add Championship
WHAT HAPPENED?
Stoney left the team last week to widespread dismay, with few seeming to comprehend the reasoning. The Wave were on a seven-game winless run but didn’t sit far outside of the play-off places with just under half of the season to go. Stoney’s record since her arrival in 2021 had been fantastic, too, having guided the team to the NWSL Shield and NWSL Challenge Cup in just two and a half seasons.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Jill Ellis, the former USWNT head coach who serves as president of the Wave, tried to explain the decision to reporters in a press conference, citing the club’s ambition as a big reason.
“In this moment, we felt, and again it’s very hard, an inflection point,” she said. “So we made a very hard decision to try and begin a search for a new coach.”
WHAT STONEY SAID
Stoney has now attempted to “find the right words” to reflect on her sacking in a statement released on social media. She wrote: “When I was offered the life-changing opportunity to move to San Diego it was my goal to create something special… To build a team capable of winning league titles, championships and to create a culture and environment where players felt valued and appreciated. I came here to try and make a difference and to be about the players and for the players, every single day, in every decision I made.
“For a team that was not even in existence four years ago I am extremely proud of what we achieved together. In year one, we made history as the first ever expansion team to make the semi-final of the playoffs. In year two, we won the NWSL Shield and had our second appearance in the semi-final of the playoffs. In year three, we added the Challenge Cup to the trophy cabinet and, as a group, felt driven and focused on finishing this season strongly and bringing even more silverware to this club. I am bitterly disappointed that I wasn’t given the time to bring a Championship to San Diego.
“I will forever be grateful to San Diego Wave FC for making this whole adventure possible and would like to take this opportunity to thank every player and staff member, past and present, who have contributed massively to the team’s success. It has been my pleasure to work with you all. I am so grateful and appreciative to you incredible fans for your amazing support throughout my time with the club. I will forever be San Diego Wave’s biggest fan and I wish the team every continued success… LFGSD!
“Lastly, I would like to thank my amazing partner and beautiful children who have once again shown me unconditional love and support during our journey over here. Thank you all for the love and support that I have received at this difficult time. Now it’s time for me to refocus my energy on my family as we embark on the next chapter of our lives together.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Stoney was regularly linked with the head coach vacancy at English champions Chelsea this year, as Emma Hayes prepared to take over the USWNT. However, she remained with the Wave, where she signed a contract until 2027 only a few months before this departure.
WHAT NEXT FOR STONEY?
The former England defender will no doubt be sought after as she ponders her next managerial move, having impressed many in San Diego despite the disappointing manner in which her time with the club came to an end.
