By Matthew Smith |
Jill Ellis, the first female coach to win back to back FIFA World Cups, has announced she will step down from her role with the United States women’s national team.
The 52-year-old led the US to a fourth title in France last month having also guided them to victory in Canada in 2015, but says she will leave her post in October.
Ellis, appointed in May 2014, won 102 of her 127 matches in charge and was named the FIFA World Coach of the Year and CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) Coach of the Year for Women’s Soccer in 2015.
“It has been an amazing ride,” the English-born Ellis said.
“The timing of this is not just geared towards me on a personal level but also for the programme as it prepares to start a new cycle.”
Ellis added: “It just felt right, it felt good and I’m in a really good place with the decision.
“I firmly believe that this is not a job that someone should sit in for 10 years, I think change is good.
“A position like this shouldn’t be forever.”
US Soccer President Carlos Cordeiro said in a statement: “Jill was always extremely passionate about this team, analytical, tremendously focused and not afraid to make tough decisions while giving her players the freedom to play to their strengths.
“She helped raise the bar for women’s soccer in the USA and the world, and given the history of this program, the level of success she achieved is even more remarkable.”
Republished with permission from insidethegames.biz.