San Diego Wave interim coach Landon Donovan knows he faces a “steep” learning curve when it comes to coaching NWSL players and acknowledges that process will have to happen quickly and on the job.
The American soccer legend, who will coach a professional women's team for the first time, was announced as the Wave's new interim head coach last Friday. Less than a week after her hiring, Donovan will make her debut on Tuesday in a Concacaf Champions' Cup W match against Santa Fe FC in Panama City, Panama.
“It's a very difficult game, no doubt,” Donovan said at his introductory press conference on Monday. “I have a foundation, I know a lot of the players that are here.” [in San Diego] from watching them over the last few seasons, but the rest of the league… I'm going to have to rely on the crowd, and I'm catching up quickly.
“I've watched a ton of film over the last two weeks trying to get a better understanding of the league.”
The 42-year-old will look to revive the reigning NWSL Shield champions, who are currently outside of the playoff spots. Halfway through the regular season, the Wave have a record of 3 wins, 6 draws and 7 losses.
“There's going to be a lot of bumps along the way,” Donovan said. “We're not going to see a team that's perfect tomorrow by any means, but there will be progress. I think that will be evident. And ultimately, I think I don't want to live in fear and we just want to be brave and try to do things the way I know how to do them.”
During Monday's news conference, Donovan also dismissed the idea that he views the job as a stepping stone.
“I've been offered four MLS jobs in my life since I started coaching and I've turned them all down, and there are a few reasons,” Donovan said. “One is, in no particular order, I love San Diego. I love working with good people. [club president] Jill [Ellis] When I make a decision in my career, it's about the people, the passion I have for it and the project.
“I met [sporting director and general manager] Cami [Ashton] And we immediately connected. I met Alex. [Morgan] Over the long haul, I got to know these women quickly, they are amazing human beings.
“People questioned my motivation when I didn't play in Europe for my entire career, and I was happy to play in Los Angeles and help MLS grow surrounded by good people and having passion for a project I believed in, and being close to my family. So I'm different in that sense, I always have been. I'm not worried about the next job or the next gig or what it means, or the springboard.”
If the job is any kind of stepping stone, it could be toward a permanent role at the job he just took on, and Donovan hinted that there's a chance he could stay at Wave in the future.
“The door is open, but what we agreed on is until the end of the season and we'll go from there,” said the MLS Cup champion with the LA Galaxy. [Donovan and Ellis] They both said, “Look, if everything goes well, let's talk. If it doesn't, because one party doesn't want it or the other doesn't want it, no problem. There are no hard feelings and we'll move on.”
Following Tuesday's match in Panama, the Wave will return to NWSL play with a home match against Angel City FC on Aug. 24.
Donovan's only professional coaching experience was with the now-defunct San Diego Loyal in the USL Championship from 2020-22. Internationally, he is the only American to record 50-plus goals and assists for the United States.
