Casey Stoney named Canada women's head coach

Casey Stoney was appointed head coach of the Canada women's national team Monday.

The former England captain collected numerous major honors with Arsenal and Charlton Athletic during her playing career. She more recently collected silverware during stints in charge of Manchester United and the NWSL's San Diego Wave.

She also served as assistant to Phil Neville in the England women's team setup.

"Canada has a proud tradition in women's football, and I am excited to work with such a talented group of players," Stoney said.

"Together with the federation's new leadership, we will strive to build on past successes and continue to grow the sport in Canada on and off the field. I look forward to the journey ahead and to engaging with the incredible passion of Canadian soccer fans."

Stoney represented England at three Women's World Cup campaigns and earned 130 caps for her country, and she captained Team Great Britain at the 2012 Olympic Games. She played for Arsenal, Charlton, Chelsea, Lincoln, and Liverpool in a glittering club career that yielded four English league titles, four FA Cups, and other trophies.

The 42-year-old briefly served as Chelsea player-manager in 2009 before joining England's backroom team following her retirement as a player in 2018. She later led Manchester United to promotion to England's top tier in their inaugural 2018-19 season before establishing them among the top teams in the Super League. At San Diego, Stoney captured the NWSL Shield, NWSL Challenge Cup, and the individual distinction of NWSL Coach of the Year over a three-year spell.

"Casey's track record of successful leadership, her values and strength of character, and her lifelong dedication to the advancement of women's football make her the right person to lead our national team into its next chapter," said Canada Soccer CEO and general secretary Kevin Blue.

Stoney's tenure begins with February's three-match series at the Pinatar Cup in Spain.