Vlatko Andonovski has resigned as head coach of the U.S. women’s national soccer team, according to multiple reports Wednesday, following a disappointing early exit from the Women’s World Cup.
The soccer blog 90min first reported Andonovski’s departure, and the news was confirmed by ESPN and The Athletic late Wednesday. ESPN reported the U.S. Soccer Federation is expected to make an official announcement Thursday.
Assistant coach Twila Kilgore is likely to be promoted to replace him, according to ESPN and The Athletic.
Andonovski, 46, came under intense criticism after the U.S. team was ousted in the Round of 16 earlier this month, the earliest World Cup exit ever for the four-time world champions. His game strategy, particularly substitutions, was called into question as the team failed to generate much offensive punch.
Andonovski was hired as head coach in 2019, and compiled a 51-5-9 record with the U.S. team, though was just 3-2-5 in major tournaments.
After the team’s ouster on Aug. 6, U.S. Soccer said it would “conduct a review to identify areas of improvement and determine our next steps.”
This story originally appeared on Marketwatch
