Celtic Women’s boss Fran Alonso departing for Houston Dash | OneFootball

Alex Todd/SPP

Celtic Women’s manager Fran Alonso is to end a four-year spell with the club to join NWSL side Houston Dash as head coach.

Fran Alonso told celticfc.com: “I was not born a Celtic supporter but I will definitely die as one and I will support Celtic for the rest of my life.

“I am very sad to leave Celtic and it was a really hard decision to make. However, the new opportunity in America is one that I dreamt about since I started coaching in the women’s game.

“During the last four years I have given absolutely everything to Celtic, on and off the field and I am delighted that we have made history in so many occasions – our very first UEFA Champions League qualification, our very first Scottish Cup, our first win in the UEFA Champions League, three trophies won, and managed to be just minutes away from winning our very first league title.

“I leave knowing that the Celtic women’s team is in a much better place than when I first joined, and I am sure, with this terrific squad we have built, it will go from strength to strength.”

Celtic Chief Executive, Michael Nicholson said: “Fran has played a pivotal role in establishing Celtic FC Women as one of the major forces in the Scottish game, a position we will be doing all we can to maintain and further improve on.

“We will also look to build on the progress that the team have made on a European level over the last couple of years.”

Brann fight back to hold Lyon in UEFA Women’s Champions League