BERN, Switzerland — Storied soccer coach Pia Sundhage will not get the prospect to steer Switzerland to the 2027 Ladies’s World Cup regardless of a vastly profitable European Championship.
Sundhage mentioned on Monday she was stunned by the Swiss Soccer Affiliation determination to not renew her contract which expires in December.
A two-time Olympic champion and 2011 World Cup finalist teaching the United States, Sundhage led the host Swiss workforce in July to the quarterfinals of Euro 2025 that captured the nation’s creativeness. Switzerland had by no means reached the knockout stage earlier than.
“I might have beloved to proceed this journey,” the 65-year-old Sundhage mentioned in an announcement printed by the Swiss FA. “I’m stunned by the [federation’s] determination, however I respect it.”
Sundhage mentioned final month — forward of back-to-back wins towards Canada and Scotland in friendlies — she wished a renewed contract on situation she might have a full-time assistant.
Swiss FA officers delivered the information to Sundhage at a face-to-face assembly in Stockholm in her native Sweden, the assertion mentioned. The federation’s president Peter Knäbel mentioned Sundhage was thanked for main the workforce via an “unforgettable” Euro match.
Switzerland mentioned it is going to make structural adjustments in ladies’s soccer with Johan Djourou as technical director of nationwide groups. The previous Arsenal defender labored with Sundhage this yr because the sporting coordinator with the squad.
