The NWSL’s San Diego Wave introduced they’ve tapped USMNT legend and present broadcaster Landon Donovan to take over interim head-coaching duties for the rest of the 2024 season on Friday.
According to the team, earlier head coach Paul Buckle determined to depart for “private commitments.”
Nevertheless, the rent drew confusion from some pundits like ESPN’s Herculez Gomez who thought it “screams PR stunt.”
Donovan’s solely managerial expertise comes from a failed two-year stint as founder and head coach of the San Diego Loyal, a USL Championship squad that was forced to shut down in 2023.
Maybe this supposedly non permanent gig could possibly be the most effective proving floor, or maybe it’s, in reality, a PR stunt.
San Diego enters the Donovan period in tenth place having misplaced three of its final 5 matches and winless since Could 8 — however solely three factors out from a playoff spot.
If the USMNT’s joint all-time main scorer can impart no matter knowledge he has to already-accomplished gamers like Alex Morgan and Naomi Girma, discovering a method into the league playoffs, then maybe the “stunt” will be written off as a partial success.
Ultimately, nonetheless, San Diego will most probably must discover a extra certified everlasting answer at supervisor.