Former Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall is reportedly on the brink of a return to management, with sources suggesting he is close to finalising a deal with San Diego Wave in the NWSL.
An official announcement from the club is expected imminently.
Eidevall, who departed Arsenal in October following a poor start to the 2024/25 campaign, has been linked with San Diego Wave for some time. Reports in November, including from journalist Dan Lauletta and local outlet SanDiego.Futbol, indicated that negotiations were well advanced.
The latter claimed an announcement was initially expected in early December, but while that timeline passed, developments now appear imminent.
Eidevall’s tenure at Arsenal ended abruptly on 15 October after a string of lacklustre performances, including a goalless draw against Everton, a humbling 5-2 loss to Bayern Munich, and a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at the Emirates. These results came with Arsenal underperforming significantly, despite a talented squad and the backing of large home crowds.
The Swedish coach’s time at Arsenal, however, was not without success. He guided the team to consecutive Women’s League Cup titles in 2022/23 and 2023/24 and reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League in 2022/23. Yet, his inability to sustain momentum during the current campaign saw Arsenal fall short of expectations, ultimately prompting his resignation.
In the wake of Eidevall’s departure, first-team assistant coach Renée Slegers stepped in as interim manager. The decision proved fruitful, with Arsenal enjoying a significant revival. Under Slegers’ guidance, the team has gone unbeaten in 11 matches, recording 10 wins and a single draw against Manchester United. This resurgence included an impressive tally of 31 goals scored and just four conceded, a marked improvement from the earlier struggles under Eidevall.
When confirmed, Eidevall will inherit a San Diego Wave side looking to rebuild following the dismissal of former head coach Casey Stoney in June. Stoney, also a former Arsenal defender and Manchester United manager, was sacked after losing the dressing room amid a seven-game winless streak. The challenge for Eidevall will be restoring cohesion and delivering results in one of the NWSL’s most competitive environments.
Eidevall’s coaching credentials, highlighted by domestic silverware and European runs with Arsenal, make him a compelling candidate for the San Diego role. When the move be finalised, the Swedish coach will have a chance to reinvigorate his career in the US, where the NWSL continues to grow as a hub for top-level women’s football.