Photo courtesy of Chicago Stars FC
The Chicago Stars have appointed Vlatko Andonovski, the former head coach of the United States women’s national team, as their new chief soccer officer. This move follows his recent exit from the Kansas City Current and marks a significant step for a franchise that currently occupies the bottom position in the NWSL standings, facing the potential prospect of finishing last for the second consecutive season.
Andonovski, regarded as one of the most successful coaches in NWSL history, assumes the highest role in Chicago’s diminished technical staff. The Stars managed to secure his services amidst competition from other NWSL clubs, in part due to his enthusiasm for the challenging work ahead. He expressed, “I get excited with projects, and Chicago will very much be a project.”
One of Andonovski’s immediate priorities will involve hiring a technical director and a head coach while simultaneously working on player recruitment for the 2027 season. The franchise has been operating without a full-time general manager since May when Richard Feuz was dismissed, followed by the firing of head coach Martin Sjögren in August.
Chicago Stars president Karen Leetzow revealed that she had begun hiring top professionals previously associated with Andonovski, even before his availability was confirmed. These hires include Kate Cohen, who will serve as the interim technical consultant, and Garga Caserta as the interim director of high performance. Both had held similar roles at Kansas City and worked alongside Andonovski during his tenure with the USWNT.
Andonovski noted that he engaged in discussions with six different NWSL teams about potential roles, some of which were quite serious. While one club suggested he return to coaching, he expressed a preference for focusing on a broader role in shaping a club’s identity. Chicago stood out to him because of its rich history, the vision of majority owner Laura Ricketts, and the presence of key players such as forwards Mallory Swanson and Jordyn Huitema, midfielder Julia Grosso, and defender Sam Staab. Additionally, the area’s sizable ex-Yugoslavian community holds personal significance for Andonovski, who was born in the region.
With Andonovski’s arrival, the Stars aim to rebuild trust and respect among players and fans, which has been substantially lacking due to previous management issues, particularly concerning former head coach Rory Dames. Leetzow emphasized the necessity for the franchise to acknowledge its past failures and to make strides toward improvement. The hiring of Andonovski symbolizes a commitment to change and stability moving forward.
