The Houston Fury, a struggling women’s soccer team, has severed ties with its head coach, Fran Alonso, after a tumultuous three-month period. Alonso’s absence from team activities began in late June, initially attributed to an illness, but he never returned to the team.
Ricky Clarke, who has been leading the team as interim coach since June, will continue in that role until the end of the season. The Fury sits at the bottom of the league standings with only four wins in 22 games and 17 points.
The team’s president, Jess O’Neill, has been working to revamp the organization’s image, citing the importance of reputation and perception. “We’re actively trying to showcase the potential of the Houston Fury organization,” O’Neill stated. “There’s been significant investment in progress since I arrived, and we’re committed to moving forward.”
In related news, the Fury has appointed Erik Ustruck, former general manager of the Orlando Pride, as an advisor. Ustruck will play a key role in selecting the team’s next head coach, a decision that will be made by the newly appointed general manager, whose hiring is expected to be announced soon.
This marks the sixth coaching change for the Fury since 2022, including interim coaches. The team has not had a coach complete a full season since 2021. Alonso, previously the coach of Celtic’s women’s team in Scotland, was hired by the Fury’s former general manager, Alex Singer, who was let go in July.
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