Vlatko Andonovski was always aware that his office was bigger than himself. It was “selfish” to think of yourself now, said the USA coach after his team’s defeat in the round of 16 against Sweden, “when we have 20-year-olds who have to go through it now”. Andonovski designed the first phase of dealing with the trauma himself, only then did he decide his own fate: on Thursday he submitted his resignation to the US association.
It is the end of a four-year tenure in which Andonovski failed to live up to sporting expectations. Despite a streak of 16 wins in a row after his start, he failed to win the expected gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics – and now also to bring the third world title to the USA after 2015 and 2019. Instead, after the round of 16 elimination in a memorably close penalty shoot-out, the disappointing record of only four goals in the group phase and only one win, against small Vietnam, stood at the start.
It was therefore to be expected that Andonovski would hardly be allowed to keep his post after the tournament – although there were arguments in his favour. You don’t hear a bad word about the 46-year-old Macedonian, who just received US citizenship with his wife and for whom one thing was always particularly important: his relationship with the players. “Coach Vlatko”, as he was called, was a constantly vigilant moderator at press conferences, he did not allow criticism of his squad even after almost losing out to Portugal in the preliminary round, his protective, selfless statement after the game against Sweden stands for his entire Tenure: Andonovski always knew he didn’t have the same status as his iconic predecessor Jill Ellis, nor did he even ask for it.
The successor is open – an international solution may be sought
However, his failure is also the failure of the American way: Andonovski came as a successful coach from the national women’s football league NWSL, he was supposed to enforce the principles of the league in the national team and thus a football that is less based on tactical brilliance and more on the hooray Principle of self-belief, physique and individual quality. However, that is no longer enough at a World Cup, as can be seen from the finalists from Spain and England: If you want to be successful, you need a more precise, tactical concept than in 2015 and 2019.
The longer-term answer to the question of succession is therefore likely to lie on another continent. It is said that the USA want to think big and lure them in with a young, attractive team that will regain their status as title favorites next year at the Olympics in Paris – so there is not much time. The name of Australia’s coach Tony Gustavsson was recently mentioned, as was that of the obviously best coach in the world, Dutchman Sarina Wiegman, who could win her second major title in a row with England on Sunday.
Assistant coach Twina Kilgore will take over for the USA at short notice, she will be in charge of the team’s two friendlies against South Africa in September. Andonovski is said to be loud The Athletic already have numerous offers from national teams and clubs, his qualities are still appreciated – even if they were not enough to successfully fill the US coaching position.