Former Canada national women’s soccer team head coach Bev Priestman has officially found a new gig.
According to multiple reports, Priestman will be the head coach of the New Zealand-based Wellington Phoenix women’s side, who actually compete in the top Australian division.
Round Ball Australia had previously reported in May Priestman would be taking the job, with the news set to become official this week and confirmed by Australian outlet The Chronicle.
Priestman was fired by Canada on Nov. 12 of last year after initially having a one-year suspension due to her involvement in the high-profile drone spying scandal connected to the women’s national soccer team. The 39-year-old was hired in the role as Canada’s head coach in 2020, with the squad winning the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Priestman’s suspension was lifted this week.
Priestman had already moved to New Zealand last year while under suspension. Emma Humphries, Priestman’s wife, who had previously served as the Canadian women’s under-17 coach, took on a new job as academy director for the Phoenix, which has both men’s and women’s youth sides.
While Priestman is from England, Humphries hails from New Zealand, making it a sensible move for the couple and their young son.
Priestman last coached for Canada in the run-up to their Olympic gold defence at the Paris 2024 Games, before news of her involvement in a long-time spying scandal on opponents during training sessions broke. Assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi were also suspended by FIFA and later fired along with Priestman, with Lombardi being held by French authorities after being the first person caught with the drone.
“I am absolutely heartbroken for the players, and I would like to apologize from the bottom of my heart for the impact this situation has had on all of them,” Priestman said in a statement after news of the scandal broke. “As the leader of the team on the field, I want to take accountability.”