Andonovski Steps Down as Head Coach
Vlatko Andonovski, who has been the head coach and sporting director of the Kansas City Current since late 2023, has announced his decision to step down from the coaching position to dedicate his efforts entirely to his role as sporting director. This change opens up a head coaching position for the Current, who claimed the top spot in the NWSL this past season and are preparing for the 2025 regular season.
Organizational Restructuring
As part of a broader restructuring within the organization, Ryan Dell has been elevated to the role of general manager, taking over from Caitlin Carducci, who has been released from her position.
Andonovski, previously the head coach of the United States women’s national team, stated on Thursday in an interview with ESPN that transitioning to a full-time sporting director role was always part of the plan, although the exact timing was uncertain until discussions with the team’s co-owners, Angie and Chris Long, intensified this summer. The decision aligns with the organization’s strategic outlook as they aim for long-term victory, discussing aspirations for success not just now but into 2028, 2029, and 2030.
Focus on Long-Term Success
After concluding the season with a disappointing exit in the NWSL quarterfinals against NJ/NY Gotham FC, Andonovski conveyed via a Zoom meeting to players and staff that the recent restructuring is geared toward refining the team’s long-term success potential.
“I want to ensure we are prepared to win not just in the immediate future but also over the coming years,”
he remarked, emphasizing the need to shift focus from week-to-week wins to a larger vision for the club.
New Responsibilities and Future Aspirations
In his new capacity, Andonovski will take charge of overseeing the player roster, including the reserve team, and enhancing both player and staff development initiatives. This new focus may also connect him to the Longs’ expanding global presence that includes their involvement with Danish club HB Koge. Furthermore, he will play an integral role in the search for a new head coach, with internal contenders Milan Ivanovic, who has worked alongside Andonovski for over a decade, and Freya Coombe, a veteran NWSL head coach, already being pointed out as potential candidates.
Leadership Changes and Future Goals
The announcement of these changes follows Carducci’s dismissal from her position as general manager, a role she held full-time for just a year after initially stepping in as interim GM during the previous season. Ryan Dell, who recently served as head of soccer operations for the Current and has a history with Racing Louisville FC and the USWNT, is recognized for bringing significant value to the organization. Chris Long praised Dell for his contributions to Kansas City, viewing his promotion as an essential part of a broader strategy for growth amid evolving dynamics in women’s soccer.
As the organization gears up for their next challenges, it is clear that the ambition to elevate Kansas City to the pinnacle of women’s soccer is a shared aim among the ownership group and coaching staff. The Longs have expressed their commitment to developing the team, with an eye towards competing on the global stage, beginning with the upcoming opportunity to qualify for the Concacaf W Champions Cup. In pursuit of their aspirations, the club intends to foster a culture centered around sustained success while nurturing future coaching talent, an endeavor that remains close to Andonovski’s heart.
