Coach busted in World Cup spygate signs with A-League team
The A-Leagues' worst kept secret has been confirmed, with Bev Priestman officially named as Wellington Phoenix's new women's head coach after serving a one-year ban for spying on the Football Ferns.
The English manager led Canada to an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo in 2021 but was kicked out of the Paris tournament in disgrace after the reigning champions were caught using a drone to watch a New Zealand training before the opening match.
In a twist of fate, it is in New Zealand where Priestman has now been given a chance to rebuild her career following 12 months out of the game, with the country's only professional women's team.
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New Phoenix coach Bev Priestman speaks to media at NZCIS in Wellington.
"I know I have to earn the trust of everybody and I'll be working hard to do that but I'm thrilled to be here and can't wait to get to work," Priestman said.
Following weeks of intense speculation, the Phoenix were able to officially announce the high-profile appointment of a two-time FIFA women's coach of the year finalist on Wednesday after Priestman's one-year suspension expired last weekend.
Priestman is the Phoenix's fourth women's head coach in five years but has been backed to deliver club's first major trophy given she's arguably the most credentialled coach in A-League history. She has committed to the Phoenix for two seasons.
Bev Priestman of Canada at BMO Field in Toronto.
Priestman: 'I didn't feel safe' in Canada
The 39-year-old has close ties to New Zealand and re-emerged in Wellington last year after her wife, ex-Football Ferns midfielder Emma Humphries, landed a job as the Phoenix's academy director.
Priestman said she fled Canada because she felt unsafe there amid a media frenzy following the Olympics but she was aware she has not escaped the fallout by moving to the country they were caught spying on.
"I didn't feel safe. That's being brutally honest. It was very difficult for my family and I have to live with that and wear that. It was an absolute media frenzy."
Bev Priestman poses during the Wellington Phoenix A-League women's coach announcement.
Phoenix signal ambition with Priestman appointment
The Phoenix have recruited an impressive squad in preparation for her arrival, headlined by Nepal's all-time leading goal-scorer Sabitra Bhandari, 44-cap Netherlands international midfielder Tessel Middag, Dominican Republic captain Lucía León and Football Ferns No. 1 Vic Esson.
The signing of Esson from Scottish giants Rangers was notable, as were the key re-signings of Mackenzie Barry and Grace Jale, as they were all members of New Zealand's Olympics squad last year.
The Phoenix finished ninth under Paul Temple last season and are yet to qualify for the A-League Women top-six playoffs after four years.
"Securing Bev as head coach speaks to the ambition we have for this team," Phoenix chairman Rob Morrison said.
"Signing one of the world's best coaches is a statement for the club, but it is also a statement for the Ninja A-League, reflecting the ambition and investment from APL for the development of the women's game in Australasia.
"We're really pleased to be able to welcome Bev back to football. We all know she's had a period of time away from the game, but we understand the circumstances and we're really comfortable with this appointment."
https://x.com/StanSportFC/status/1939458533118165275How Canada were busted spying on the Football Ferns
The Football Ferns had been preparing for their opening game, against Canada, when defender Rebekah Stott spotted a drone hovering above their training venue.
It subsequently emerged it belonged to their opponents.
Priestman, assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi received one-year suspensions from FIFA and Canada were docked six points.
Priestman declined to discuss what happened in Paris due to legal reasons as it's understood she is still in mediation with Canada Soccer.
She was grateful to the Phoenix for giving her an opportunity to coach again after 12 months out of the game.
"I've taken the 12 months to reflect, to the learn and to grow. It's been very difficult and I'm just excited to put my head down, work hard and get back to work and do what I love every day," Priestman added.
"I can't speak on the details relating to it, as much as I'd like to, but for everybody involved and for respect of the players at this football club, I want to move forward."
Priestman celebrated ban lifting by coaching under-7 game
Priestman has already been back on the grass, albeit in much a more low-key setting than she is used to.
Her ban applied to all levels of football and prevented her from coaching son's under-seven team, so she celebrated the suspension lifting by helping out at one of his games on a wet Tuesday night in Wellington.
"It was a nice, humbling experience but they got all the energy from me in that moment because I've been itching to do that," she said.
Priestman was able to clear the air with Football Ferns coach Michael Mayne in January but is yet to speak directly with any of the players.
She was aware she still had to earn the trust of the Kiwi football public and is hoping creating history with the Phoenix by qualifying for the finals and winning trophies will go a long way to achieving that.
The 2025-26 season is scheduled to get underway on Friday, October 31.
https://x.com/WgtnPhoenixFC/status/1950324126348169589Wellington Phoenix contracted players - 2025-26 A-League Women
Goalkeepers: Aimee Danieli, Vic Esson.
Defenders: Mackenzie Barry, Tiana Jaber, Lucía León, Ella McMillan, Lara Wall, Ellie Walker.
Midfielders: Daisy Brazendale, Manaia Elliott, Olivia Ingham, Tessel Middag, Alyssa Whinham.
Forwards: Sabitra Bhandari, Grace Jale, Ela Jerez, Emma Main, Ella McCann.
In: Esson (Rangers, Scotland), León (Adelaide United), Walker (SC Braga, Portugal), Middag (Rangers), Bhandari (En Avant Guingamp, France).
