In a surprising move, the San Diego Wave, a National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) franchise, announced on Monday that they had fired head coach Casey Stoney. The decision, according to Wave president Jill Ellis, was made based on data and the team's recent poor form, which includes a seven-game winless streak.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Ellis emphasized the club's ambitious goals of competing domestically and internationally. She highlighted the three criteria required to qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League: winning the league, finishing second, or winning the championship. Unfortunately, the Wave's current position limits their opportunities to meet these criteria.

Ellis emphasized that the decision to dismiss Stoney was separate from the arrival of the club's new general manager, Camille Ashton. Ashton, who took on the role of general manager and sporting director after leaving her post at the Kansas City Current in May, has not yet fully relocated to San Diego. The new ownership was consulted on the decision to let go of Stoney.

Taking over as the interim head coach is Paul Buckle, who served as an assistant coach for the Wave in 2022 and trained for his U.S. Soccer Pro License course with Ellis. While the team conducts a search for a new coach, Buckle will lead the team.

Though the decision to fire Stoney came as a surprise, considering the team's relative struggles this season, the Wave experienced significant success under her leadership. Stoney guided the team to a Challenge Cup victory in March and claimed the NWSL Shield in their second season as a franchise.

However, this season has posed challenges for Stoney as she attempted to transition the team's style of play to a possession-based approach. The team's results have been less than ideal, with a record of 3-5-6 and only 12 goals scored in 14 games, the third-worst in the league.

Despite the decision, Ellis praised Stoney's work and expressed confidence in her ability to find another coaching opportunity. Ellis, herself a former coach and the only woman to win two World Cups, acknowledged the nature of coaching, where firings and changes can occur. She assured the Wave players that there is talent in the team and that they have room for improvement.

The Wave's decision to part ways with Stoney signals their determination to make significant changes to improve their current standing and pursue their lofty ambitions. With interest from potential new coaches already pouring in, the club is optimistic about finding the right candidate to lead the team towards success.