Two-time World Cup-winning coach Jill Ellis to step down following United States' victory tour

Two-time World Cup-winning coach Jill Ellis has announced her intention to step down as coach of the United States national team when their victory tour ends in early October.

England-born Ellis became the first coach to win two World Cups when she guided the US to a second consecutive crown in France last month following 2015’s success in Canada.

The 52-year-old will lead her side in their opening victory tour outing against the Republic of Ireland in the Pasadena Rose Bowl on August 3^rd.

A pair of friendlies with Portugal on August 28^th and September 3^rd will be followed by two additional friendlies at the beginning of October, the details for which are yet to be announced.

“The opportunity to coach this team and work with these amazing women has been the honor of a lifetime,” Ellis told the United States’ Soccer Federation’s official website.

“I want to thank and praise them for their commitment and passion to not only win championships but also raise the profile of this sport globally while being an inspiration to those who will follow them.

“I want to sincerely thank the world class coaches and staff with whom I’ve had the privilege to work - they are quintessential professionals and even better people.

“I want to thank the Federation for their support and investment in this program, as well as all the former players, coaches, and colleagues that have played an important role in this journey.”

Ellis twice served as interim manager following the departure of Pia Sundhage in 2012 and Tom Sermanni in 2014 before taking on the role on a permanent basis in May 2014.

She guided her adopted country to win the World Cup in Canada in 2015, beating Japan in the final, before repeating the feat four years later with victory over the Netherlands in Lyon.

After stepping down from her role as manager, Ellis will continue to work as an ambassador for US soccer for at least a year.

The federation will soon announce its first-ever general manager for women’s football and will then begin  the search for Ellis’ successor.

“When I accepted the head coaching position this was the timeframe I envisioned,” added Ellis.

“The timing is right to move on and the program is positioned to remain at the pinnacle of women’s soccer.

“Change is something I have always embraced in my life and for me and my family this is the right moment.”