It has been announced that Mark Parsons will leave NWSL side Portland Thorns to lead the Dutch national women’s team. He will replace Sarina Wiegman, who takes over as the Lionesses head coach following the Tokyo Olympics.
Parsons will continue working in Portland until the end of the NWSL season. By mid-September, he will begin working in the Netherlands full time.
The Thorns recently claimed Challenge Cup glory, showing Parsons ambitions as a head coach. With a hectic international period approaching, players and fans alike will be grateful for the stability of Parsons’ deal, which runs until 2023.
The World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic on September 17 will mark the new head coach’s debut with the Dutch team. Parsons will lead the team through the Euros and up to the final World Cup qualifiers on his current deal.
Mark Parsons was born in Britain, making him the 21st national team coach to be born outside of the Netherlands. Wiegman, who Parsons will replace has been in her role since 2016 and is highly regarded. The Dutch team secured the 2017 Euro’s and were runners up in the 2019 World Cup under her leadership and will doubtless be looking to continue their success with their new manager.
Parsons too has accolades to boast. His honours include four NWSL titles throughout the past five years with the Portland Thorns. He was also named as the NWSL Coach of the Year in 2016.
