Former USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski is coming back to Kansas City after being named the new head coach of the Kansas City Current for the 2024 NWSL season.

He gave a special shout out to Kansas City Chief’s star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and wife Brittany, for the opportunity to coach the Current in their new stadium next season, via Steph Yang of The Athletic.

“I’m grateful to Angie, Chris, Brittany and Patrick for this opportunity to lead my hometown team … The fans here … make Kansas City one of the best atmospheres in the NWSL, and it will only get better in the new stadium,” Andonovski said.

The Mahomes are co-owners of the the Current, and Brittany is a former pro soccer player.

Vlatko Andonovski replaces interim coach Caroline Sjöblom and is no stranger to the Kansas City soccer scene. He led the now-dissolved FC Kansas City team to two NWSL championships in 2014 and 2015. He also led the indoor Missouri Comets to the Major Indoor Soccer League title in 2014 and achieved an undefeated 20-0 season in 2015.

His coaching experience also includes the head coach of the OL Reign from 2018 to 2019, guiding the team to the playoffs both years, and finishing 3rd and 4th in the regular season, respectively.

He took over as the head coach of the USWNT in 2019, but resigned in August this year after losing in Round 16 of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. He was hired as the USWNT head coach in October 2019. 

Vlatko Andonovski came to the U.S. in 2000 to play professional indoor soccer, mostly with the Wichita Wings and Kansas City Comets. Before that, he spent six seasons playing in his native North Macedonia.

He will make his next coaching debut in the Current’s new stadium, which is set to open next year. The team recently announced the new name of the stadium: CPKC Stadium.