Who will be the next USA Women's National Team Head Coach?

Since we heard about Pia Sundhage's move from the USWNT head coach back home to manage her own country Sweden, the question on everyone's lips is who will follow on from Pia.

Pia Sundhage leaves a huge legacy at USA, with a record of 88-6-10. She has won 11 tournament titles, including three prestigious Algarve Cup titles in Portugal, two Olympic qualifying tournaments and two Olympic gold medals. Pia only just narrowly missed out on the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 title after losing to Japan on penalties.

You can tell the USWNT, plus the fans and media around the world have a lot of respect and admiration for Pia Sundhage both as a head coach and as a person. She is extremely passionate about the game and her endearing personality stands out.

In a recent interview with Pia Sundhage, we asked if she would like to manage her home team if the opportunity became available... Her answer was simply 'Yes'. We are so pleased Pia Sundhage now has the opportunity to go back home and start a new exciting coaching journey (although we are sad to see the journey end with USWNT), and we wish her all the best for the future.

So who will follow on from Pia Sundhage's campaign at the USWNT. One name that has been mentioned a few times is Jill Ellis, who was appointed as the Development Director for the U.S. Women's National Teams in January of 2011. Ellis has also had two stints as the head coach of the U.S. Under-21 Women’s National Team.

Who would you like or do you think could take the role of USA Women's National Team coach?

What are your views? Leave your comments below

Tags: #USWNT, Coach, Head, National, Team, USA, Women's, new

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Comment by John Ternai on September 6, 2012 at 20:03: I really have no knowledge of the coaches who might take over from Ms Pia S.
But reasonable would be to someone who assisted her take over ... They've got very close to been able to see and learn from her.

Comment by Zinzi on September 3, 2012 at 22:06: I would like to see a new female coach. But what are the options there? Jillian Ellis or Erica Walsh?

Comment by Lutendo Morris on September 3, 2012 at 21:50: Jill Ellis will be a perfect choice so far, unless if the U20 can win the WWC,then there will be a second choice........

Comment by Gromit on September 3, 2012 at 20:42: I always thought it was a bit vain to debate about "Who would be the best Mr or Ms X" to coach a team and even more to vote. As we say in France (about France but I'm sure it's the same in any country) : "60 millions people are 60 millions coaches". Everybody has his/her opinion and his/her definite judgement. But we all know that Football Federations or Associations don't give a damn about our opinions... and they are right ! It is their job to chose the best one, they are paid for that. The best thing for us to do - and the wisest, I think - is not to have pre-conceived idea about anybody...

A former great player will not be automatically a good coach. But he/she might be... Who knows ? A technician you never heard of and who never was a good player can be a fantastic coach... Who knows ? There is no rule...

Mia Hamm is certainly the greatest player USA had and maybe will have, far, far ahead of the stars of today. Could she be a great coach as Pia Sundaghe or Silvia Neid, both ex-stars in Sweden and Germany ? Maybe. Or maybe not...

Let's just wait and we'll have time to judge the new coach when he/she will be in action. USA's style of playing - I hope that it will evolve to a less physical, less "manly" way and towards a more technical one - and its results, of course (three Algarve Cups to begin, then the 2015 WC and 2016 OG) will speak the truth.

It will be interesting too to see if he/she will be brave enough to regenerate the team. With three years without any WC or OG, the opportunity is wonderful to find new Morgans, Le Roux or Cheneys and say a big "Thank you and have a good deserved rest" to Rampone, Solo, Box, Tankbach, Mitts, Le Peilbet, O'Reilly, Lloyd, Rapinoe, Buetcher who all will be 30 years old or more in 2015... Frightening ? A nightmare, dear US's Friends ?... Well, I wrote "... if he/she will be brave enough...", didn't I ? :o)

Comment by Cherokee11 on September 3, 2012 at 20:08: I think and my vote is for Mia Hamm,She knows the game as well as anyone and does know how the game has changed to a more aerial and striker attack instead of trying to tap the ball in the net,nice to watch but not many goals scored that way(more goals,more fans)she gets along and knows all the talented women here in the US.If not the German U-20 coach would be my second choice if available, I like her discipline and style of play,... and of course TNX to Pia for all her help and what she did for our team, wish her success with the her countrys National team,nothing wrong with wanting to go back home...

Comment by keithboanas on September 2, 2012 at 22:30: I am sure they will recruit from within this time , amazing opportunity but no surprise with Pia .. Would nt mind a crack at it myself , tongue in cheek ..

Comment by Hanna Christinet on September 2, 2012 at 22:05: ok I understand. so here some informations

Jill Ellis
Jill Ellis was appointed as the Development Director for the U.S. Women's National Teams in January of 2011. The hiring, along with April Heinrichs as Technical Director, marks the first time U.S. Soccer has appointed full-time positions to oversee the women's youth national team program and the programs’ overall development.

Ellis will be taking the lead on interacting directly with key coaches within the youth club environment while also guiding and directing the U.S. U-17s, U-15s and U-14s.

Ellis has extensive experience in the U.S. Women’s National Team programs, having served as an assistant coach under Pia Sundhage helping the U.S. Women’s National Team to a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics. Ellis has served two stints as head coach of the U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team, guiding the squad to the CONCACAF title in 2010 and to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany.

She joined the Women’s National Team staff in January 2008 after leaving her first post with the U.S. U-20s, which she had led the since the start of 2007.

Ellis has also had two stints as the head coach of the U.S. Under-21 Women’s National Team, the second starting in the middle of 2005, after which she guided the team to the Nordic Cup in Sweden. She also coached the U-21s to the Nordic Cup title in Germany in 2000.

Mia Hamma

is a retired American soccer player. Hamm played many years as a forward for theUnited States women's national soccer team and was a founding member of the Washington Freedom. Hamm scored 158 international goals, more than any other player, male or female, in the history of soccer.[1] She is the second most capped female player in soccer history behind Kristine Lilly, appearing in 275 international matches.
Hamm was named the women's FIFA World Player of the Year the first two times that award was given (in 2001 and 2002), and is listed as one of FIFA's 125 best living players (as chosen by Pelé). Washington Post columnist Michael Wilbon called Hamm, "Perhaps the most important athlete of the last 15 years.
She retired from the sport in 2004, when she played her last game in the 2004 Fan Celebration Tour to commemorate the U.S. women's national team's victory in the 2004 Olympics. In 2007, her first year of eligibility, she was selected for induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame by having 137 votes of the 141 ballots cast. Women's Professional Soccer, a professional soccer league that launched in 2009, features Hamm's silhouette in its logo.

Comment by Women's Soccer United on September 2, 2012 at 21:40: Mia Hamm is another good choice @Hanna

Comment by Hanna Christinet on September 2, 2012 at 21:33: Jill Ellis could be good. And why not Mia Hamm??