KC Current close to hiring former USWNT, FCKC coach Vlatko Andonovski, per reports

The Kansas City Current operated with an interim head coach for most of the 2023 season after firing Matt Potter just three games into their 2023 National Women’s Soccer League campaign.

But on Friday, Steven Goff of the Washington Post reported that the Current are finalizing an agreement with former U.S. Women’s National Team coach Vlatko Andonovski to become KC’s next head coach. As of late Friday afternoon, the Current had not yet responded to The Star’s request for comment.

A Kansas City native, Andonovski coached the USWNT during the 2023 World Cup cycle. He resigned after Sweden eliminated the U.S. team in the round of 16.

Andonovski, 47, has coached women’s professional soccer teams since 2013. He led the former FC Kansas City team until 2017, winning two NWSL championships before the franchise relocated to Utah. He then coached the Seattle-based Reign FC (now OL Reign) for two seasons before being hired by the USWNT.

Andonovski also coached the Kansas City Comets men’s indoor team from 2013-16. In 2014, he won league championships with both teams, FCKC and the Comets.

Andonovski was recognized as the Major Arena Soccer League coach of the year (2014-2015) and twice earned the equivalent honor in the NWSL (2013, 2019). As a head coach across the MASL, NWSL and USWNT, he has a career record of 173-59-45.

Alongside Goff’s report in The Washington Post, The Equalizer reported that Andonovski will also become the Current’s sporting director, giving him more say and control over the roster.

The Current, who made it to the NWSL Championship match one year ago, parted ways with Potter after an 0-3 start this season. The Current finished in 11th place in the NWSL this year, with eight wins, two draws and 12 losses.

Caroline Sjoblum has served as the Current’s interim head coach for most of the year. At the time of Potter’s dismissal, Current general manager Camille Ashton cited a “lack of collaboration,” but neither Ashton nor the club has clarified exactly what that meant.

Likewise, it was not immediately clear what impact Andonovski’s reported hire might mean for Ashton in her role as GM.

This story will be updated.