LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Racing Louisville FC and head coach Kim Björkegren have "mutually parted ways" after two years with the club.
In a news release from Racing Louisville on Friday, the club said Björkegren is returning home to Europe to "pursue other opportunities there." Officials said general manager Ryan Dell and Racing Louisville have already started an international search to find the team's next head coach.
“I want to say thank you for two great years,” Björkegren said. “It has been a lot of hard work, but I'm now happy to leave the club in a better position from when I came to Louisville. I want to say a special thanks to the owners, especially John Neace and his family, and thanks to the president James O'Connor, the staff and, of course, to the players. Thanks to the fans and to all the people who make Racing and Louisville a great place. After many years abroad, it's now time to go back home to Sweden with my family.”
Officials said the coaching search is starting at a "critical juncture" in the offseason due to free agents being allowed to sign with new teams starting Nov. 20 and the expansion draft and NWSL Draft coming up this winter.
“We firmly believe we have the pieces in place to become a perennial playoff team in the NWSL,” Dell said. “Our search is centered on finding a head coach to elevate our team to that next level.”
Prior to Björkegren's hire, the club's first coach, Christy Holly, was fired during the NWSL season due to allegations of abuse. Those allegations led the National Women's Soccer League and the league's players association to conduct a joint investigation into the misconduct of several coaches back in 2021.
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