Former Manchester United Women head coach Casey Stoney has been named head of the new NWSL expansion team San Diego.
Stoney will be the first to lead the team when San Diego debuts in the National Women’s Super League next season. San Diego president and former USWNT head coach Jill Ellis announced on Wednesday after the addition of Molly Downtain as the new manager.
Another legend comes to San Diego. # SanDiegoNWSL appoints @CaseyStoney as the club’s first head coach: https://t.co/avox8C1zpY pic.twitter.com/jvWPdtdE8A
– San Diego (@SanDiegoNWSL) July 14, 2021
The club was announced as the league’s 12th member last month, one of two new expansion teams that will join in 2022 along with Angel City in Los Angeles.
“Casey is one of the most decorated, eminent and talented English players of all time and has gone seamlessly into his role as manager,” said San Diego NWSL President Jill Ellis.
“She immediately turned Manchester United Women’s Football Club into a respected challenger and established herself as one of the best managers in the league. Casey has all the qualities we want in our manager and she is fully committed to making the San Diego NWSL a global success. club and brand led by powerful and talented women.
“We are proud to secure her as our manager and look forward to what she will bring to our club and city.”
As the very first Manchester United women’s head coach, Stoney inspired the team to the 2018/19 Football Association Women’s Championship. She continued to coach United to two top four finishes in the Women’s Super League before jumping over the pond to lead San Diego.
Stoney during his time at Manchester United / Visionhaus / Getty Images
Prior to taking the lead, Stoney represented the England women’s national team. She recorded 130 appearances in the FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments from 2001 to 2017. During her club career, she represented Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Charlton Athletic and Lincoln.
“I’m extremely excited and motivated to lead the San Diego NWSL on the field next season and beyond,” said Stoney. “Jill and this group of owners are deeply committed to building a world-class club both on and off the pitch and I look forward to being a part of creating our culture and style of play as a team.”
