The Portland Thorns are restructuring their technical department, making head coach Mike Norris their new technical director, following the club’s worst start to an NWSL season. Portland is currently in last place, having only managed a single point through the first four weeks of the 2024 season with a 0-1-3 record.
Rob Gale has been named interim head coach. Thorns general manager Karina LeBlanc told The Athletic the team will conduct a global search for Norris’ full-time replacement. There is no timeline for that hire yet, as LeBlanc expressed the need for the team to get it done correctly, not quickly.
LeBlanc said multiple times the club feels the technical director role is one that Norris will succeed in, and that he has the club’s full support as they restructure. While Norris has had less success this season, last year after he took over from Rhian Wilkinson following her resignation, the Thorns were one win away from the NWSL Shield and made the playoffs (defeated in extra time by eventual championship winners Gotham FC).
“The results have not gone our way, and in a head coach position, the results do matter,” LeBlanc said on Tuesday afternoon….
