The U.S. women’s national team’s leadership shakeup will continue with general manager Kate Markgraf set to leave her role at the end of this month, sources confirmed to ESPN.
Sources confirmed that Markgraf’s contract expires at the end of August, and her decision not to return was made prior to the Women’s World Cup.
The news that Markgraf, 46, won’t return came a day after manager Vlatko Andonovski resigned.
READ ALSOUSWNT coach Andonovski resigns after W/cup crash
The Americans were eliminated in the round of 16 by Sweden via a penalty shootout, though conversations continued with the U.S. Soccer Federation about Markgraf possibly staying. The World Cup exit was the earliest in U.S. team history and appeared to seal her decision.
Markgraf was the first person U.S. Soccer appointed to the position of general manager of the team in 2019, and her first decision was the hiring of Andonovski. That was followed by two substandard performances in major tournaments, starting with a bronze medal finish at the Tokyo Olympics.
In an interview with ESPN prior to the World Cup, Markgraf said that, while she didn’t explicitly tell Andonovski which players to take to the tournament, she had a part in shaping the roster. Andonovski confirmed that was the case.
READ ALSO Rapinoe breaks silence insist USWNT unique despite W/cup ouster
“We have to make so many tough decisions in different times, whether it’s on the field or off the field,” Andonovski said prior to the tournament. “But the questions that [Markgraf] is posing is in such a professional and respectful way, help us think deeper, help us think different, outside of the box, and in a way prepare ourself for even more stressful moments and be ready for it.”
It is unclear if the GM position will be maintained after Markgraf’s exit.
