San Diego Wave boss Casey Stoney has renewed her contract with the NWSL side, putting rumors linking her with Chelsea job to bed.
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Casey Stoney signs new deal with San Diego WaveContract penned until 2027Was candidate for Chelsea job in summerWHAT HAPPENED?
The club made the announcement with a brilliant video posted on social media platform X, where Stoney's kids celebrate her announcing the contract renewal. All three of them leap on top of her, with her laughably replying "I nearly got whiplash" from their excitement.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT STONEY SAID
“I am very happy to extend my stay here in San Diego, a place my family and I call home,” said Stoney. “What we have been able to achieve as a club over the first two seasons is a testament to the investment of our ownership and the hard work of everyone involved. As a club, we have achieved in ways no other expansion team has ever done. We have won the NWSL Shield, broken records and have been supported by the most amazing fans. This is just the beginning, and I am fully committed to building and developing this team. I am proud to be a part of this club, in this city, and I will continue to give everything I have to bring even more success to this incredible community. LFG San Diego.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
With Stoney extending her NWSL stay through to 2027, it can finally put to bed the rumors of her being interested in the Chelsea job. Current Blues boss, Emma Hayes, is set to leave at the end of the WSL campaign to take over the USWNT. As a result, Stoney emerged as a potential candidate, especially with her connections to the English women's game as a former Lioness and Manchester United manager.
Now, however, she's stated her commitment to the Wave and is looking to run back their incredible 2023 season, where they finished atop the standings at the end of the regular season. With established USWNT stars like Morgan and Naomi Girma, as well as prospects like Melanie Barcenas and Jaedyn Shaw, it's an enticing role at a unique club.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR STONEY AND SAN DIEGO WAVE?
The Wave are set to begin their 2024 preseason sometime between Tuesday and February 6, with teams having some flexibility as to when their camp will start. When it does, however, the club will go about preparing for their league opener in March, while evaluating their roster at the same time.
