LOS ANGELES -- Another head coaching position has opened up in the NWSL. Angel City announced on Monday that they had parted ways with Becki Tweed. Eleri Earnshaw has been named interim head coach while the team began searching for a new head coach ahead of the upcoming season. The decision comes after the club announced it was letting go of front office personnel, including General Manager Angela Hucles Mangano.
"Becki has been an integral part of Angel City FC, demonstrating an exceptional work ethic, a deep care for her staff and players, and an unwavering desire to learn and grow,” said ACFC Technical Director Mark Wilson in a press release.
“Despite the challenges and results of a tough season, Becki’s resilience and determination leave a lasting impression,” continued Wilson. “She departs ACFC well-respected, and we have no doubt wherever she lands next, her talents and character will make a significant impact. We thank Becki for her contributions over the past two seasons and wish her the very best in her journey ahead."
Thank you, Coach.
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) December 9, 2024
📰 #AngelCityFC announces the departure of Head Coach Becki Tweed, who led us to many milestones, including our first playoff appearance. We sincerely appreciate her dedication and impact and wish Becki the best in her next chapter.https://t.co/98K4aWtS5P pic.twitter.com/Sw4lQGYGK2
Tweed was named head coach ahead of the 2024 season after being elevated to interim head coach midway through the 2023 season where she had led the club to an 8-2-5 record in all competitions, including an 11-game unbeaten streak and led to Angel City's first playoff appearance. She brought professional player experience, having played in England and the U.S. Tweed worked as an assistant coach with the NWSL club NJ/NY Gotham FC during the 2020 through 2022 seasons before moving to Los Angeles.
However, the 2024 season was not one fans or players hoped for. Tweed finished her first full year as head coach with a disappointing (7-6-13) record that placed Angel City twelfth on the league table. The team failed to reach playoff contention and was hit with a three-point deduction as part of the league’s steepest sanctions following investigation results that found the club had exceeded the salary cap on player contracts.
The sanctions also targeted Angel City’s front office personnel GM Hucles Mangano and CEO and team president Julie Uhrman. The pair were suspended from "conducting duties related to any player transactions" for the remainder of the year. Hucles Mangano and the club "mutually separated" earlier this month.
She joined ACFC as VP of Player Development in 2021, becoming General Manager midway through the club’s inaugural season in 2022. Hucles Mangano oversaw the expansion of the technical and medical staff, player recruitment, and overall soccer operations including facilities management. Matt Wade, the club's current Assistant GM, will step up as interim General Manager while the club searches for a new GM.
Although it's unclear the exact direction new owners Bob Iger and Willow Bay are taking ACFC, the announcement leaves the club open to a new world of possibilities as players work toward the new season.
