Jonas Eidevall has spoken about his difficult exit from Arsenal after being named the new National Women’s Super League head coach (NWSL) San Diego Wave page.
The 41-year-old resigned from the Women’s Super League (WSL) club last October after a series of disappointing results led to fans calling for his sacking.
Three months after and before Eidevall’s move across the Pond, he stood by his resignation, claiming it was the “right decision” and also citing the moment he believes fans lost faith in him.
In conversation with Sports IllustratedEidevall revealed: “I think that was when we didn’t renew [Vivianne] Miedema’s contract – my relationship with the fans at the time – was damaging to the team.
“I thought [leaving] was the easiest quick solution for the team to be able to perform again. This was an incredibly difficult personal decision for me, but sometimes you have to do it if you think it’s best for the team. I preach that to every team too. I always preach [that] You have to do what’s best for the team.
Arsenal were heavily criticized when they announced they would not be extending Miedema’s contract, which ultimately led to her leaving as a free agent. At the time, the current Manchester City striker was the WSL’s all-time top goalscorer with a total of 79 goals.
“Sometimes you lose as an individual, but if everyone is committed to always making the best decisions, everyone will win in the end, and this time it was my decision to make the most difficult decision,” Eidevall added.
“I think it was the right decision for me personally and I think the team played well, so I’m really happy.”
Although the Wave had already begun their search for a new head coach, it was understood that the club became interested in Eidevall almost immediately after his departure from Arsenal.
Sporting director and general manager Camille Ashton said Sports Illustrated: “We conducted a fairly extensive search for a head coach that began last summer. Jonas wasn’t part of the list at the time because he wasn’t available, but we went ahead and when things changed he immediately became an option for us.”
Although the Wave was only founded four years ago, it can already look back on an eventful history in the world of women’s football. Former WSL boss Casey Stoney helped make history for the club by leading them to victory in the 2023 NWSL Shield and 2024 NWSL Challenge Cup.
But after a seven-game winning streak, she was fired midway through the season, sending shockwaves through the women’s game. The Wave finished their 2024 season under interim manager Landon Donovan finishing tenth in the league.
But with a new leader at the helm, Eidevall is ready to take off. “It depends on the visa when I am eligible to enter the US, but I am used to being able to start training flexibly,” he added.
“When I came to Arsenal it was during COVID-19 and I also still had a contract with my Swedish club.” [FC Rosengard]. We can either get results or make excuses, and I definitely prefer results.
“The first part of pre-season preparation is about building a connection with the players and staff. It’s about getting to know them as people and finding out who they are, what’s important to them and what motivates them, so that other players and staff can benefit from that too.” can help them achieve that.
“That is the process that begins now. It’s about building connections and for me that’s the foundation of how much we challenge and how much we can compete later in the season. One of the things that really motivates me as a person where I work.” These environments are about getting to know people and understanding how I can contribute to helping that person reach their potential.
“There is no doubt that every person is unique and has their own journey and that needs to be understood.”