Vlatko Andonovski steps down as U.S. women's head coach, officially

SPORTS

U.S. women鈥檚 head coach Vlatko Andonovski steps down after team鈥檚 World Cup elimination

Wayne Sterling

CNN Digital

Published Thursday, August 17, 2023 5:07PM EDT

The head coach of the US women鈥檚 national soccer team, Vlatko Andonovski, pictured here on July 27, has resigned from his position, according to sources. (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

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Vlatko Andonovski has stepped down from his position as head coach of the U.S. Women鈥檚 National Team (U.S.WNT), the U.S. Soccer Federation announced Thursday.

The federation said in a press release that U.S. Soccer and Andonovski mutually agreed to part ways.

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鈥淎ll of U.S. at U.S. Soccer thank Vlatko for his dedication to our Women鈥檚 National Team over the past four years,鈥� U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker said in the press release.

鈥淰latko worked tirelessly for this team and has been a strong and positive leader for our women鈥檚 program. We鈥檙e grateful for everything he has contributed to U.S. Soccer and know he has a bright future in the sport.鈥�

The U.S. lost to Sweden in a dramatic penalty shootout in the Women鈥檚 World Cup round-of-16 earlier this month, ending the dream of an unprecedented three-peat. The four-time World Cup winner failed to reach at least the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time in its history.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been the honour of my life to coach the talented, hard-working players of the U.S.WNT for the past four years,鈥� Andonovski said in the U.S. Soccer announcement.

鈥淚鈥檓 very optimistic for the future of this program, especially considering all the young players that got opportunities over the past few years who will no doubt be leaders and impact players moving forward.

鈥淲hile we are all disappointed by the outcome at this year鈥檚 World Cup, I am immensely proud of the progress this team has made, the support they鈥檝e shown for each other, and the inspiration they鈥檝e provided for players around the world.

鈥淚 will be forever thankful to the U.S. Soccer Federation for giving me the chance to coach this remarkable team.鈥�

Andonovski was named the ninth coach in the team鈥檚 history in October 2019. He set the U.S. women鈥檚 record for best start in history after winning his first 11 games at the helm. He managed the team during its run to a bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics.

鈥淲e want to extend our deepest gratitude to Vlatko for his dedication to the Women鈥檚 National Team,鈥� U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone said in the press release. 鈥淲e know he will continue to contribute the growth of the women鈥檚 game in the United States and wish him well in his future endeavours.鈥�

Crocker, who will lead the search for the next U.S. women鈥檚 head coach, has named Twila Kilgore as interim head coach. Kilgore has served as an assistant coach for the U.S. squad for the past year and a half.