“I’m Broken”

Recently sacked head coach Casey Stoney had signed a contract with the San Diego Wave that lasts till 2027 with an option to extend till 2028. However, a seven-game winless streak seems to have prompted San Diego to overlook the contract and show Stoney the door. While replying to a San Diego fan group on X (formerly known as Twitter), the 2023 NWSL Shield winner remarked that she was ‘broken’ to leave the club. Meanwhile, the ex-English star’s partner and former teammate Megan Harris penned an emotional note, detailing the hardships of a team manager.

San Diego Sirens, which claims to be the Wave’s first independent support group, took to X, thanking Casey Stoney for her services. “Thank you Casey for being there from the beginning. You shaped this team into what it is while always putting player wellbeing first. You showed us what it means to be a true leader, with strength, compassion, and integrity; even when it wasn’t easy,” the tweet read.

“Thank you Sirens!! You are incredible and I loved your support for the team from day one! Today I’m broken but in time I will be proud of what we all achieved together,” Stoney said in response. Thereafter, Casey Stoney urged the Sirens to keep cheering the Wave on Friday night NWSL games.

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Thank you Casey for being there from the beginning.

You shaped this team into what it is while always putting player wellbeing first. You showed us what it means to be a true leader, with strength, compassion, and integrity; even when it wasn’t easy. Thank you for the… (1/2) pic.twitter.com/bNzzSvlQbF

— San Diego Sirens (@SD_Sirens) June 24, 2024

As per the San Diego Wave, the club’s ambitions don’t align with the team’s current plight in the NWSL. Anyhow, the 42-year-old star coach departs with an impressive resume. She led the Wave after winning silverware- the 2023 NWSL Shield and the 2024 NWSL Challenge Cup.

Before taking up the NWSL job, the former England international helped Manchester United win a championship in the maiden season of the Women’s Super League. Stoney’s partner Megan Harris paid a special tribute to her eventful career with a holistic appreciation post on X.

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Emotions run high for Harris, as Casey Stoney leaves San Diego“Building a great football club is far more than just results. It’s about creating an environment, a culture of trust and integrity. About creating a fanbase that can share a vision, and become a community, that believes and commits to what you’re trying to achieve- this is exactly what you have done,” Megan Harris said on X, referring to Casey Stoney.

Harris also lauded her partner for winning two titles with the Wave and remarked that she and their three children couldn’t be prouder of Stoney.

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Only time will tell where the successful English manager will join next. Paul Buckle will join the Wave as their interim coach while they search for a permanent replacement for Stoney. What are your thoughts on Stoney’s storied NWSL stint? Tell us in the comments.