Vlatko Andonovski, the ex-coach of the U.S. women's national team, has ended his tenure with the Kansas City Current. Despite transitioning from a coaching position to that of sporting director for the NWSL club, the arrangement was determined to be incompatible less than a year after its inception. The mutual decision was announced on Monday, September 7, marking a significant change for the team's leadership.
Andonovski initially joined the Kansas City Current as head coach for the 2024 season. By November 2025, he sought a change, moving into the sporting director role. However, both he and the club concluded that this new executive position did not align with expectations, leading to their amicable separation.
With Andonovski's move to the front office, Chris Armas stepped in as the head coach. This coaching change has not yet yielded the desired results for the Current, as the team currently ranks 7th in the 16-team league. Only the top eight teams are eligible to advance to the postseason, placing the Current in a precarious position.
Compounding the team's challenges, Coach Armas managed a significant portion of the summer without star player Temwa Chaŵinga. The 2025 MVP was away, representing Malawi in the Women's African Cup of Nations, where she played a pivotal role in securing her country a spot in the 2027 Women's World Cup. Chaŵinga, whose tournament ran from July 26 to August 16, has recently rejoined the Current on the field.
Despite the difficulties, the Kansas City Current has shown recent signs of improvement. The team achieved a 2-1 victory against Bay FC this past weekend, extending their unbeaten streak to three consecutive matches. This upturn in performance offers a glimmer of hope for their playoff aspirations.
The departure of Vlatko Andonovski as sporting director reflects a mutual agreement that his transition from a coaching role was not an ideal fit for the Kansas City Current. This organizational shift, combined with ongoing team performance issues and the return of key player Temwa Chaŵinga, positions the club at a pivotal moment in their NWSL season as they strive for a postseason berth.
