Bev Priestman, former Canada coach, signed by Wellington Phoenix after scandal

Bev Priestman Takes the Helm of Wellington Phoenix After Suspension

The Canadian coach, Bev Priestman, after serving a one-year suspension for her involvement in a drone espionage scandal during the Paris Olympics, has been hired as the head coach of the Wellington Phoenix, the only professional women’s team in New Zealand. Priestman, who recently finished his suspension from all football-related activities, signed a two-year contract with Wellington Phoenix in the New Zealand capital. An interesting twist is that Priestman’s wife, Emma Humphries, was hired by Wellington Phoenix in December as the club’s academy director. Humphries, a former New Zealand international footballer, previously coached Canada’s women’s youth national teams. Priestman was suspended after a FIFA investigation revealed that she, along with other members of the coaching staff, had used drones to spy on the New Zealand women’s national team before Canada’s first match at the Paris Olympics. Following a review by Canada Soccer, she was dismissed as the head coach of Canada.

We are very happy to welcome Bev back to football.
Rob Morrison, Phoenix President

Priestman led Canada to the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and has coached in four Women’s World Cups, three Olympic Games, and three FIFA Youth World Cups. Previously, she also worked in New Zealand, in training development in Wellington and then as director of development for the New Zealand Football Federation. In a statement, Priestman thanked the club and the directors for “giving me this opportunity to return to the game I love and, hopefully, bring some special moments not only to this city, but to this country.” The Phoenix “is a fantastic club with great ambitions, world-class facilities and a phenomenal fan base,” he said. “We have the responsibility now to fly the flag for this country and try to do something special.” The Wellington Phoenix plays in Australia’s top women’s category, the A-League Women, and Priestman is aiming for the title. “There will be hunger and desire because we know we want to achieve a first [win the title] for this club and to do so something special will be needed,” he said in the club’s statement. Stephen Conroy, chairman of the Professional Leagues of Australia, said that the hiring of Priestman was a “fantastic endorsement” for the competition.