Fran Alonso departs Celtic to join NWSL | OneFootball

Celtic have confirmed the departure of manager Fran Alonso on Friday after four years in charge of the women’s team.

The 47-year-old manager will now join Houston Dash FC in the National Women’s Soccer League.

Alonso saw Celtic turn professional and oversaw “a real transformation” at the club, according to the official statement.

The Scottish side won the League Cup in 2021 for their first piece of silverware in over 10 years, alongside Scottish Cup successes in 2022 and 2023, two second-place finishes in the Scottish Women’s Premier League and two stints in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

“I am very sad to leave Celtic and it was a really hard decision to make,” said Alonso on his departure. “However, the new opportunity in America is one that I dreamt about since I started coaching in the women’s game and I know our Celtic supporters will understand.”

Houston’s search for a new manager used data to find a candidate “with an attacking, possession-based game model” plus an emphasis on culture and player development before landing on Alonso.

“I am very excited for the opportunity to join the Houston Dash and coach in the NWSL, one of the best leagues in the world. Houston is the perfect place for me,” said the new boss in the NWSL club statement.

“It will be a great honour and a huge responsibility for me, and I can’t wait to meet the players, technical staff and management and work with such a talented group of professionals,” Alonso said.

“I am very confident that we will be able to implement a brave, exciting, dynamic and dominant style of play that can help the Dash build an identity on-and-off the field. I also look forward to connecting with the fans, our community in Houston, and creating something very special. We want to build a team that the city of Houston can be proud of.”