San Diego Wave FC officially announced Jonas Eidevall as its new head coach.

The 41-year-old from Sweden has a distinguished track record and is set to steer the club toward calmer waters, beginning a new era of women’s soccer in the city.

“I am honored and proud to be named the head coach of San Diego Wave FC,” Eidevall said in a statement. “This is a club with a clear vision for success, both on and off the field, and I am grateful for the trust placed in me to lead this talented team by the Leichtman-Levine Family and Camille Ashton. San Diego is a city with passionate fans and a vibrant fútbol culture, and I’m eager to contribute to building a winning legacy here. Together with the players, staff, and supporters, I look forward to achieving great things and making unforgettable memories for this club.”

Eidevall was most recently the manager of Arsenal’s team in the Women’s Super League (WSL). Under his leadership, the team had three consecutive top-three finishes in the WSL. Arsenal won back-to-back FA Women’s League Cup titles. The 2023 season was one of the best in club history, reaching the semifinals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Eidevall is the winningest manager in Arsenal club history, with a record of 80-18-22.

Despite his success, Eidevall resigned following disappointing results in October, including two back-to-back losses. One of these defeats was a 5-2 setback against Bayern Munich, marking Arsenal’s largest loss since 2017.

It was an unexpected departure, but there were reports that he had lost the support of the dressing room. In a recent interview, he acknowledged the fans’ frustration and mentioned that he believed the turning point occurred when the club chose not to renew Vivianne Miedema’s contract.

Before Arsenal, Eidevall succeeded in Sweden with FC Rosengård, securing three league titles and the 2018 Svenska Cupen Damer championship. His coaching career began at Lunds BK, where he transitioned from assistant to head coach, setting the stage for his ascent in European football.

Eidevall is the Wave’s second full-time coach. After a slow start to the season, the team parted ways with tenured NWSL coach Casey Stoney. Paul Buckle took over as interim, and then Landon Donovan finished the season.

In the press release, Club Owner Lauren Leichtman said this marks the beginning of a new era for the club. She mentioned that Eidevall’s impressive track record made him an “excellent fit” for the team. Wave General Manager and Sporting Director Camille Ashton expressed her excitement about Jonas’s tactical approach and his ability to build a strong team.

“His experience, tactical expertise, and ability to develop players stood out throughout the process,” Ashton said. “Jonas has a proven track record of building teams that are competitive, cohesive, and dynamic. We are confident he will help us reach new heights and continue to drive our success on the pitch.”

Eidevall steps into a challenging role, taking over a team that finished 10th in the NWSL standings with a disappointing record of 6-13-7. After winning the 2023 NWSL Shield and the 2024 Challenge Cup, this represents a significant setback for the team. The coaching carousel added to the difficulties.

The Wave struggled particularly on the road, managing just one away victory all season. The club’s top players, including defender Naomi Girma, goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, and forwards María Sánchez and Delphine Cascarino, will look to Eidevall’s leadership to steer the team toward a resurgence. The NWSL regular season begins on March 14.

Sebastian Sanchez

Sebastian Sanchez was born and raised in San Diego. He recently received his bachelor’s degree in Sports Journalism from Arizona State University. A passionate storyteller who has experience covering the Phoenix Mercury and Suns. He has also written for multiple news outlets, reporting on various sports at the college and high school levels.