Lluis Cortes, the former head coach of the Ukraine women’s national team, has announced that he will not be renewing his contract with the Ukrainian Football Association (UFA). Cortes, who took over as head coach in 2021 after leading Barcelona Femeni, has cited the cancellation of Ukraine’s bid to host Euro 2025 due to Russia’s invasion as a major factor in his decision.
Cortes, 36, had high hopes for Ukraine’s national team when he joined, as the prospect of hosting a major tournament like Euro 2025 would have provided a significant boost to women’s football in the country. However, with the bid being cancelled, Cortes has decided that it is time to move on.
The coach is currently in talks with several National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) clubs in the United States about a potential move. This would be a new challenge for Cortes, who has had a successful coaching career in Spain.
Cortes initially joined Barcelona as an analyst in 2017 and eventually worked his way up to become part of the women’s assistant coaching team. In 2019, he took over as head coach and led the team to their first Women’s Champions League final, although they were ultimately defeated by Lyon.
However, Cortes found success with Barcelona in 2020, winning the Spanish Primera Division title, Supercopa de Espana Femenia, and Copa de la Reina. The team completed a domestic double and showed great promise under Cortes’ leadership.
The pinnacle of Cortes’ tenure at Barcelona came in 2021 when the team successfully defended their league title by winning all 26 of their opening games. They also went on to win the Women’s Champions League and Copa de la Reina, completing an historic treble.
Despite his success on the field, Cortes faced controversy off the field. In June 2021, he resigned from his position at Barcelona after it was revealed that members of the women’s team had requested his sacking for reasons unrelated to football. The specific reasons were not disclosed by the players.
Cortes’ departure from Ukraine’s national team marks the end of an era for women’s football in the country. His expertise and experience will be missed, but it also presents an opportunity for a new coach to step in and continue the development of the team.
As for Cortes, a move to the NWSL in the United States would provide him with a fresh start and a chance to showcase his coaching abilities on an international stage. The NWSL is widely regarded as one of the top women’s football leagues in the world, and Cortes’ experience and success at Barcelona make him an attractive candidate for many clubs.
It remains to be seen which NWSL club Cortes will join, but his presence in the league would undoubtedly bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise. His track record of success with Barcelona speaks for itself, and he has proven himself to be a capable and innovative coach.
In conclusion, Lluis Cortes’ decision to step down as head coach of the Ukraine women’s national team comes as a result of the cancellation of their bid to host Euro 2025. Cortes is now exploring opportunities in the NWSL in the United States, where he can continue to make a significant impact on women’s football. His successful tenure at Barcelona and his coaching abilities make him an attractive candidate for many clubs. As Cortes moves on to the next chapter of his coaching career, Ukraine’s national team will need to find a new leader to continue their development and progress in women’s football.