USWNT: Kate Markgraf to follow Vlatko Andonovski out of US women’s setup with GM ‘leaving at the end of the month’ following World Cup disaster
USWNT: Kate Markgraf follows Vlatko Andonovski out of US women’s lineup and GM ‘to leave at the end of the month’ after World Cup disaster
- Andonovski mutually resigned as USWNT coach earlier this week
- The US women’s team was eliminated in the last 16 leg of the World Cup
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USWNT general manager Kate Markgraf is reportedly set to leave her post at the end of the month as leadership-level turmoil continues after the disappointment of this summer’s World Cup.
The USA’s eight-year stranglehold on the Women’s World Cup came to an end earlier this month, when Sweden knocked out the old champions on penalties in the last-16 leg.
In the wake of that departure, Vlatko Andonovski stepped back as head coach by mutual consent on Thursday, and Markgraf is now believed to be following him out the door.
According to The equalizerUS women’s national team GM will not be returning after the World Cup – although she reportedly made her decision ahead of the tournament.
The 46-year-old will leave when her current contract expires at the end of August, ending her four-year stint in this role.
USWNT general manager Kate Markgraf will reportedly leave her post at the end of the month
Markgraf’s imminent departure comes after the U.S.’s exit from the Women’s World Cup final 16
She will follow Vlatko Andonovski (right) out the door after the Macedonian-American stepped down as head coach on Thursday
The report claims she turned down a contract extension at some point prior to the World Cup, although talks about keeping her on board continued after their shock defeat to Sweden.
In the end, Markgraf elected to reject a new deal and move on in the wake of USWNT’s fastest-ever league elimination.
The former U.S. defenseman, who earned more than 200 caps for her country, was the first U.S. soccer star to be named general manager in 2019.
Her first hot-seat decision was to hire Andonovski, whose reign as coach proved generally unsuccessful.
The Macedonian-American fell short of expectations set by predecessor Jill Ellis, who led the US to back-to-back World Cup victories.
US Soccer officially confirmed his departure on Thursday and appointed assistant Twila Kilgore as interim coach.
“While we are all disappointed with the outcome of this year’s World Cup, I am immensely proud of the progress this team has made, the support they have shown each other and the inspiration they have given to players around the world. Andonovski said in a statement.
“I will be eternally grateful to the United States Soccer Federation for giving me the opportunity to coach this remarkable team.”
Andonovski failed to live up to the country’s high expectations during his four-year reign