Angel City FC announced on Monday that head coach Becki Tweed has been dismissed after completing just one full season with the team. This decision follows the recent exit of former general manager Angela Hucles Mangano and signifies a restructuring under the club’s new ownership.
Tweed initially stepped in as interim head coach mid-way through the 2023 season, leading Angel City to their inaugural playoff appearance in only the club’s second year. Under her guidance, the team achieved an 11-game unbeaten streak, which earned her the permanent head coach position before the 2024 season commenced.
However, the current season became a letdown both on and off the pitch. Angel City ended in 12th place out of 14, accumulating only 24 points, which included a three-point penalty due to salary cap infringements. Even without the deductions, the team would have still finished 10th, just five points shy of the playoff positions.
“Despite the difficulties and a challenging season, Becki’s resilience and determination have made a lasting impact,” said Angel City FC’s technical director Mark Wilson, who was recently appointed. “She leaves ACFC with great respect, and we are confident that her skills and character will shine in her future endeavors. We appreciate Becki for her efforts over the past two seasons and wish her success moving forward.”
Assistant coach Eleri Earnshaw will serve as interim head coach until a permanent replacement is found. As the New Year approaches, Angel City is in need of both a new general manager and head coach.
Willow Bay and Bob Iger became the majority owners of Angel City in September, acquiring the team at a record NWSL valuation of $250 million.
Bay, serving as the dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, indicated since initial reports of the acquisition in July that enhancements to facilities and on-field performance would be priorities for the new management. Recently, the team announced substantial improvements to their practice facilities. The departure of both Hucles Mangano and Tweed signals a new beginning for the team.
The NWSL suspended Hucles Mangano and team president Julie Uhrman from making roster decisions until the end of 2024 due to five instances of salary cap violations found in 2023 contracts. In a historic first for the league, the team also faced a three-point deduction and was fined $200,000, the highest penalty the commissioner can impose unilaterally.
The conclusion of this league investigation surfaced shortly after Bay and Iger finalized the team’s sale.
Tweed was the second head coach in Angel City’s history; Freya Coombe was the inaugural head coach when the team was established in 2022. Coombe was released from her position in June 2023, with Tweed stepping in afterward.
Tweed joined Angel City as an assistant coach prior to the 2023 season following three years in a similar capacity at NJ/NY Gotham FC, where she concluded her career as a player.
Image Source: Becki Tweed @ Instagram
