Jill Ellis, Two-Time World Cup Champion Head Coach, Named FIFA Head Of Football
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 02:50PM By Barry Janoff
December 3, 2024: Jill Ellis, who won two FIFA Women’s World Cups as head coach for the U.S. Women’s National Team but has recently faced legal challenges as president for the NWSL San Diego Wave FC, has been named to the newly created position of chief football officer for FIFA.
In joining FIFA, “Jill Ellis will serve as part of the world governing body’s executive management team, driving the development and implementation of FIFA’s global football strategy,” according to soccer’s global governing body.
In her new role, Ellis will work alongside Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s chief of global football development.
Her responsibilities will “encompass key technical areas connected to the development of the game across the world.”
“Jill’s experience, enthusiasm and outstanding achievements make her the perfect choice for this role,” FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström said via the organization.
“She has been a true inspiration for many, and I look forward to seeing the impact of her work continue to inspire many more around the world . . . Her appointment demonstrates FIFA’s commitment to the future of the game and to creating more opportunities for the next generation.”
The move comes as FIFA is preparing for the first Club World Cup, to be played in 2025 with a total of 63 matches in 12 venues across the U.S.
The following year will see the FIFA 2026 Men’s World Cup hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
“I am honored to join FIFA in this pioneering role and to contribute to the growth of football from a global perspective,” Ellis said via FIFA.
“FIFA has a unique ability, through football, to unite communities and to drive the game’s development worldwide. Having experienced football, from grassroots programs up to senior national-team level, I’ve seen first-hand its transformative power.”
Ellis coached the U.S. women's national team from 2014-19 and won FIFA Women's World Cups in 2015 and 2019,
Ellis had been president for the Wave FC since June 2021, which joined the NWSL as an expansion club in 2022. Her tenure came with relative success on the field and in the stands but this past season she faced serious issues both on and off the pitch.
The team has set league attendance marks in its Snapdragon Stadium and in 2023 won the NWSL Cup by finishing with the league’s best regular-season mark.
But the Wave struggled this past season, finishing 6-13-7, replacing head coach Casey Stoney during the campaign with soccer icon Landon Donovan.
The team said it is currently “in the final phase of identifying a new head coach” for 2025.
This past July, Ellis filed a defamation lawsuit against a former Wave employee who accused Ellis of creating a toxic work environment.
According to ESPN, “The lawsuit, . . . alleges that Brittany Alvarado, the team's former video and creative manager, made false and defamatory statements about Ellis in posts on her social media accounts.
“Alvarado alleged that Ellis' treatment of her and former colleagues ‘has been nothing short of life-altering and devastating to our mental health’ and alleged that Ellis 'foster[ed] an environment where abusive behaviors among her subordinates are allowed to flourish.'"
This past October, five former Wave female employees filed a lawsuit against the NWSL and the Wave “accusing Ellis of fostering a culture of discrimination and harassment. The lawsuit says the Wave and the league failed to act when told of a toxic workplace culture,” according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.
Also this past October, the U.S. Soccer Federation reached an “undisclosed financial settlement with former USWNT head coach Jill Ellis, who had threatened litigation over being paid less than her men's national team counterparts,” according to ESPN.
“Under Jill’s leadership, the Wave set a standard of excellence as an expansion club in the NWSL,” San Diego Wave FC owner Lauren Leichtman said today via the team regarding Ellis’ departure.
The Leichtman-Levine family acquired the club in October.
“Jill’s experience, enthusiasm and outstanding achievements make her the perfect choice for this role.”
“The new owners of the club are committed to building a culture of winning on and off the pitch. As we approach the 2025 season and beyond, we will work to further elevate the Wave’s impact in San Diego, on the national stage, and as a globally recognized leader in women’s soccer.”
“I want to extend a huge thank you to the staff and players of the Wave for their profound commitment to the club. I wish the club and the Leichtman-Levine family the very best for the future,” Ellis said via the team.
“I would also like to express my appreciation to the City of San Diego for embracing the Wave so warmly into the community.”
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