KC Current
Vlatko Andonovski Joins the Chicago Stars as CSO
Ten days after leaving the KC Current, Vlatko Andonovski takes the helm as Chief Soccer Officer for the Chicago Stars to spearhead a massive franchise turnaround.
10 days ago, Vlatko Andonvoski officially departed the Kansas City Current. He and the club “mutually” agreed to part ways, after his role as Global Sporting Director was “not the right fit.” According to ESPN, that announcement came after Vlatko had been in Europe for nearly a month, where he popped up talking to USWNT coach Emma Hayes during the U20 World Cup.
As was to be expected, he’s landed a new job.
Initially broken by ESPN’s Jeff Kassouf, and since officially confirmed, Vlatko Andovnovski will join the NWSL’s Chicago Stars as their Chief Soccer Officer.
He’s not stepping back into coaching, but instead in what appears to almost be a lateral move from the role he had for the KC Current since stepping down as head coach after the 2025 NWSL season. Though it seems clear he hasn’t been calling all the shots for the last year in KC before his departure.
A New Project
Vlatko didn’t mince words about what he’s stepping into in Chicago.
“I get excited with projects, and Chicago will very much be a project,” Andonovski told ESPN. The Chicago Stars are dead last in the NWSL after finishing dead last in 2025 as well.
While Vlatko is CSO, he’s said he’ll be hiring a technical director and a coach for the Stars. Before Vlatko was announced for his new role, Chicago Stars president Karen Leetzow already hired some former KC Current staffers of Andonovski’s. Kate Cohen joined as interim technical consultant and Garga Caserta as interim director of high performance, very similar to jobs they had in Kansas City.
Another familiar name may be coming to Chicago too. ESPN confirmed that former Vlatko assistant and active KC Current assistant, Milan Ivanovic is up for this job and other NWSL openings.
While Andonovski wouldn’t mention any specific candidates, he said, “every club that is looking for a coach would be happy to have Milan.”
What He’s Looking For
Beyond wanting to build a team, which Chicago desperately needs despite some really talented players like Mal Swanson, Julia Grosso, Sam Staab and Jordyn Huitema being on the team already, Vlatko appeared to be looking for a different ownership setup.
But he took the high road and told ESPN, “That he is genuinely thankful to Current owners Angie and Chris Long for the opportunity and support during his time with the franchise.”
“‘Those are two years that I will never forget, and probably two of my best years in professional soccer,’ Andonovski said, adding that he ‘will dearly miss’ the players and the staff in Kansas City. He said he is rooting for the Current to win the NWSL Championship, and that he knows he will have had something to do with that.”
Andonovski also spoke highly of Chicago’s majority owner, Laura Ricketts.
“She was a big reason why I chose Chicago,” Andonovski said. “In fact, five minutes into our conversation, I wanted to get off the chair, give her a hug, and say, ‘I want to work for you.’
“She started sharing her story and what she values, and it was very aligned with what I value. She talked about integrity, respect, empathy, taking care of people. That is very much what I value as well.”
Multiple Options
ESPN reported that, “Andonovski said he spoke with six different NWSL teams about similar roles and a few of those were serious conversations. One club, he said, was adamant that he should coach again… but he said he takes joy in building a club’s identity.”
They also stated his family, which has lived in Kansas City for the last couple decades, will not move and will remain in KC.
As is evident by the fact that six of the league’s 16 teams (or perhaps a couple of the upcoming expansion teams) wanted him, Vlatko is excellent at what he does. He led the former FC Kansas City team to two NWSL titles and had success at the Seattle Reign as well. His two years as Coach and Sporting Director of the KC Current were excellent also, including all the records the club broke last year.
Chicago won’t be an easy rebuild, but most won’t doubt he’s capable of turning around the struggling franchise. Keep an eye on the calendar for the release of the 2027 NWSL schedule when Vlatko makes his return to KC, but as a member of the Chicago Stars.
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Welp, this happened.
This will be great for the league, as having a vibrant franchise in Chicago would be a very good thing. But I remain flabbergasted with how things went in Kansas City and don’t have a good feeling about the Current at the moment.
I’m so disappointed right now. About a year ago, I think on this site, I blabbered on about how I wish the Longs would have taken over SKC. Now I want Malouk to buy the Current. We seem to have a real estate development company that happens to own a soccer club. Nothing makes sense.
For the Glory (Yes, Chad, I listen occasionally) talked about this and seems just as befuddled as the rest of us. Admittedly, there have been a TON of injuries. Seems like Chawinga and Cooper have barely played together, but Armas hasn’t done anything to inspire confidence. It’s all exacerbated by the glory of last season (playoffs excepted), but there is no way this team should be flirting with not making the playoffs. Be nice to have some depth pieces, huh?
It’s what I’ve been saying for a long time now. The Long family owns real estate development property that includes a soccer team as part of the entertainment. Same as a movie theater, restaurant, or music club. Also an opportunity for them to play Fantasy Football while watching their daughter play.
Thanks for listening. And I am befuddled.
I’m not sure the Longs will regret what they’ve done, because you don’t get to where they are in life by not believing in yourself. But they SHOULD regret it. What Vlatko did in two years was remarkable. And he clearly didn’t have his hands on much of anything done this year.
If anyone can get them to change their name back to Red Stars, it’s Vlatko