Photo Credit: EM Dash-Imagn Images
The Chicago Stars made significant changes to their coaching staff this Wednesday, announcing the dismissal of head coach Martin Sjögren and assistant coach Anders Jacobson. Karina Báez, who has been with the Stars as an assistant coach for three seasons, will step in as the interim assistant coach for the remainder of the 2026 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season.
In a related move, Lorne Donaldson, a former head coach of the Stars, returns to the team as interim director of coaching. Donaldson is tasked with overseeing all technical and analytical aspects of the team’s operations for the rest of the season. Joining the coaching staff is Nicole Lukic, who comes on board as a full-time assistant coach after leading the now-defunct USL Super League team, Spokane Zephyr FC, and serving as the director of talent identification for the U.S. women’s national teams. Her focus will be on developing individual player skills.
Sjögren’s tenure in Chicago was brief but tumultuous, having joined the club just before the start of the 2026 season after being appointed in August 2025. Under his leadership, the Stars struggled, posting a record of just 4 wins, 13 losses, and 1 draw—totaling only 12 points and placing them at the bottom of the league standings. Jacobson, who was hired alongside Sjögren, had previously served as interim head coach at the end of 2025 while Sjögren completed his commitments with Hammarby IF.
Taking over as interim head coach, Báez brings substantial experience from Liga MX Femenil, where she served as an assistant with both Pachuca and Tigres. She also held the position of head coach at Pumas UNAM Femenil, guiding the team through the 2021-22 season, which has equipped her with the necessary skills for her current role in Chicago.
This latest upheaval in coaching reflects a broader pattern for the Chicago Stars, as they have faced significant instability since the resignation of long-time head coach Rory Dames in late 2021. Dames’ departure followed serious allegations of abusive behavior that came to light shortly before his resignation. Since then, the Stars have cycled through three head coaches, complemented by four—now five—interim roles, showcasing the ongoing turmoil within the club.
As the Stars strive to find stability amid these developments, the fans and players alike are hopeful that the incoming coaching staff can turn the season around. With talent present in the squad, the focus will now shift towards revitalizing team performance and ascending from the bottom of the NWSL standings.
