Ex-Man Utd & San Diego Wave boss Casey Stoney in line for Canada head coach role left vacant by Bev Priestman's dismissal after Olympic drone scandal

Priestman left her role back in November, after an independent review into events that rocked Canada's Olympic campaign. At the tournament, a drone was spotted over a training session of New Zealand, Canada's first opponent of the group stage. Investigations led to Priestman being banned for a year by FIFA and the team being docked six points at the Games. Canada Soccer subsequently ensured an independent external review of the situation was conducted and the findings of that led to Priestman, and two other members of staff, being fired for filming an opponent's training session.

While the impact of that scandal continues, with Canada Soccer initiating a disciplinary process against former women's head coach and ex-Toronto FC boss John Herdman, it appears that the team is close to appointing a successor to Priestman. According to the Telegraph, former Man Utd and San Diego Wave coach Casey Stoney is the leading candidate to take up the role.

After helping Man Utd win promotion to the top-flight and establish themselves among the top teams in the Women's Super League, Stoney moved to San Diego ahead of its first NWSL season, in 2022, and enjoyed great success. Helping the Wave to become the first expansion side to reach the playoffs in its inaugural campaign, the former England international guided the team to the NWSL Shield in 2023 and the NWSL Challenge Cup a year later, making her sacking in the summer of 2024 hugely controversial.

Stoney was linked with a return to Arsenal in October, when Jonas Eidevall - the man who has replaced her in San Diego - stepped down from his managerial position. However, the Telegraph understands she was not considered by the Gunners. Instead, her return to management appears set to come in Canada.