Laura Harvey, formerly of Arsenal Ladies, will be the Seattle Reign FC head coach for its inaugural season, the NWSL club announced on Friday. Harvey’s Arsenal won three straight league championships, one FA Women’s Cup and made the semifinals of the Champions League twice.
“As a proven winner with the ability to bring the best out of each player, Laura is the type of coach that a player wants to play for,” Reign FC general manager Amy Carnell said in a club release. “Having managed some of the world’s best at Arsenal and within the English national team system, she is composed under pressure and clearly understands what it takes to bring home a championship.”
Harvey has been an assistant coach for England at the U17, U19 and U23 levels.
“I’m excited for the new challenge ahead. After conversations with the general manager and the owner, the ambitions of the club were something that interested me in making the move,” Harvey said. “As a club, we will be trying to establish ourselves as a leader within the new league, whilst trying to build a long-term future for Seattle Reign FC.”
The 32-year-old played professionally in England with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Birmingham City Ladies from 1997 to 2002. Her coaching career began in 2002, when she took a coaching position at Birmingham City.
“I’ve had a wonderful four-and-a-half years with Arsenal Ladies and would like to thank everyone at the club for the fantastic support they have shown me throughout my time here,” Harvey said in an Arsenal release.
