Former Canada coach Bev Priestman touted to take over Wellington Phoenix FC: reports

The Canadian Press

· Posted: Jul 29, 2025 4:14 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 minute ago

Bev Priestman, who lost her job as Canada coach in the wake of the Paris Olympic drone-spying scandal, is set to take over the Wellington Phoenix FC women's team in New Zealand, according to local reports.

The club hinted at the hire with a social media post showing a hand knocking on a door with the sign "Wellington Phoenix A-League Women's Head Coach" and the tagline "Tomorrow."

Wellington finished ninth in Australia's 12-team A-League last season at 7-13-3.

Priestman, assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joey Lombardi were all handed one-year suspensions by FIFA in the wake of New Zealand's Olympic Committee filing a complaint with the International Olympic Committee's integrity unit, alleging drones were flown over a pair of pre-tournament practice sessions. All three are no longer with Canada Soccer.

The 39-year-old Priestman has ties to the Wellington club through her wife Emma Humphries, a former New Zealand international who is the club's academy director.

WATCH | Priestman ousted as Canada head coach amid drone-spying scandal:

Priestman spent five years with Canada Soccer in a variety of coaching roles before returning in June 2018 to her native England, where she served as coach of England's women's under-18 side and assistant coach with the senior English women.

In her first go-round with Canada Soccer, Priestman served as director of its developmental EXCEL program and had stints as coach of the under-15, under-17 and under-20 women's sides. She was also an assistant coach to John Herdman while he was in charge of the women's team.

Before that, she spent 4 1/2 years with New Zealand Football, serving as head of football development before leaving in June 2013 to join Herdman in Canada.