San Diego Wave appoint Landon Donovan as interim head coach

This Friday, August 16, 2024, the San Diego Wave officially announced that Landon Donovan is the new interim head coach.

Photo bySan Diego Wave

Casey Stoney started off the 2024 season as the Wave manager then Paul Buckle took over for five games starting on June 28.

Buckle was only available for a limited time, and now, in a shocking move, Landon Donovan has taken over. Donovan has been living in San Diego for several years now. The USMNT legend was one of the major people pushing for an MLS team in San Diego and also worked with San Diego Loyal.

Donovan was a Loyal manager from 2020 to 2022, when he became a beloved figure in the local San Diego soccer scene. The former LA Galaxy star has deep ties to the region as he also played with the San Diego Sockers for a few games.

This will be the next step in Donovan's involvement in the San Diego soccer scene, but it is definitely a strange move for the Wave. The Wave started with one of the most well-respected coaches in the NWSL with Casey Stoney at the helm. Now, this comes across as a Hail Mary attempt to try and turn back from a very disappointing season.

Welcome to Wave FC, @landondonovan 🌊

Donovan will serve as our interim head coach for the remainder of the 2024 season. pic.twitter.com/UNOqlSyZSF

— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) August 16, 2024

Paul Buckle had a disastrous run as interim head coach, with just one win and four losses in five games in all competitions. The Wave had a sad showing in the NWSL x Liga MX Summer Cup and need to focus on trying to make the NWSL playoffs.

San Diego is currently in 10th place with 15 points, just three points out of a playoff spot. Landon Donovan comes in with the regional experience but no experience in women's soccer. Donovan's only coaching gig to date has been with the San Diego Loyal, and that is highly worrying for a job like this.

San Diego Wave is still trying to find the perfect replacement for Casey Stoney, and this search has now taken quite some time. Donovan is only an interim coach, and it is highly unlikely that he will stay on any further than this season with the Wave. Donovan's first match with the Wave will be this Tuesday, August 20, when San Diego travels to Panama to face Santa Fe FC in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup.