At long last, the Orlando Pride have their new head coach.
Orlando announced the hiring of Englishman Marc Skinner as its new head coach on Jan. 14. Skinner comes to the States after two-and-a-half seasons at the helm of Birmingham City Women FC in the FA Women’s Super League, England’s top flight.
The Equalizer first reported the signing.
“We are very pleased to conclude the club’s search for a new head coach and know the team here in Orlando put a lot of work into securing the best candidate to lead our talented group of players,” Pride General Manager Erik Ustruck said, per the release. “Marc will bring a breath of fresh air to the Pride through his modern approach to the game while instilling a foundation of principles to build from as both an innovative and progressive manager.
“We have an incredible opportunity in 2019 and beyond, and we are confident that Marc has the ability to create a winning culture with the Pride.”
The 35-year-old took over Birmingham City in December 2016 after serving seven years as a technical director for in the club’s youth program in the Centre of Excellence. In his first season, Skinner played a shortened season that ended in his side playing in the Women’s FA Cup final.
Skinner also served as Birmingham City’s reserve-team manager and the first-team goalkeepers coach.
“I want to thank the Orlando City SC organization for giving me the opportunity to lead the Pride ahead of the 2019 NWSL season,” Skinner said, per the release. “I believe that this is one of the biggest clubs in the world. I’m excited to see what the group can bring to this league, and my staff and I will work hard to give them the direction to reach new heights.”
Per the release, the Pride will announce Skinner’s staff “at a later date.”
After making their first-ever postseason appearance in 2017, the Pride missed the playoffs in 2018, finishing seventh with a 8-10-6 (30 points) record. Of the teams with eight or more wins, the Pride was the only team with eight wins, as they surrendered the second-most goals of that group and had the worst goal differential (-7).
For more on the Pride, as the team shapes up, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
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