Former England captain Casey Stoney named head coach of Canadian women’s soccer team

Casey Stoney Named Head Coach of Canadian Women’s Soccer Team
Casey Stoney, a former England captain and NWSL coach of the year, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Canadian women’s soccer team. The sixth-ranked Canadian team has been without a permanent coach since Bev Priestman was sent home during the Paris Olympics due to the drone-spying scandal.
Stoney has signed a three-year contract with Canada Soccer, running through the next World Cup with an option for 2028. The 42-year-old most recently coached the San Diego Wave in the NWSL, where she was named the league’s coach of the year in 2022 but was let go last June after a losing streak.
In a statement released by Canada Soccer, Stoney expressed her excitement to work with the talented group of players and help grow women’s football in Canada. She will start her tenure with the team at the Pinatar Cup in Spain in February.
Stoney’s Impressive Playing Career
As a player, Stoney won 130 caps for England and captained Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics. She also represented England at three FIFA Women’s World Cups and three UEFA Women’s European Championships. Stoney won bronze at the 2015 World Cup, where she was honoured with an MBE for her services to football.
Stoney retired in 2018 after playing for top clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool. She joined the coaching staff of the England women’s team before becoming the head coach of Manchester United women, leading them to promotion to the Women’s Super League.
Exciting New Chapter for Canadian Women’s Soccer
Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue praised Stoney’s leadership and dedication to women’s football, stating that she is the right person to lead the national team. Stoney’s appointment was supported by philanthropic contributions to Canada Soccer, highlighting the organization’s commitment to supporting women in elite coaching.
Former national team members like Stephanie Labbé, Diana Matheson, and Erin McLeod played a crucial role in the hiring process. Assistant coach Andy Spence and interim coach Cindy Tye have managed the team in recent outings, following Priestman’s departure.
Priestman, assistant coach Jasmine Mander, and analyst Joey Lombardi are serving a one-year FIFA ban for their involvement in the scandal and are no longer with Canada Soccer.