South Ward Central can confirm that Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amorós is expected to return to the club on Tuesday.
According to a club spokesperson, Amorós will not immediately lead training. The 42-year-old head coach will gradually reintegrate into the team.
Interim head coach Shaun Harris and Gotham’s technical staff will continue to lead team training until Amorós returns to the fold.
“Juan is coming back, and we’ll sort out the transition piece,” Harris previously indicated on Friday.
Harris has long served as a trusted lieutenant to Amorós across multiple clubs, including a nine-year spell together at Tottenham Hotspur Women. He was elevated to Gotham FC lead assistant coach in March of this year.
When Amorós departed on a five-week parental leave on July 20, it was up to Harris and Gotham’s technical staff to steer the ship while the two-time NWSL Championship-winning head coach attended to family responsibilities.
Amorós and the club always had complete faith that Harris could deliver a strong run of results during a demanding stretch of the NWSL schedule.
“I think I’m just as good as the people that I am working with,” Amorós told South Ward Central in June. “So that’s why for me it’s so important. Also, I’ve learned with time how important it is to delegate, to trust people, to really empower them. Shaun has been a bit more at the forefront.”
“I cannot cover everything,” Amorós said. “For me, that’s my coaching team, and it’s so important for me to be able to function.”
Harris Kept Gotham FC Top of NWSL During Amorós’ Absence
Harris led Gotham to two victories in the three matches earlier in the season while Amorós was unavailable immediately following the birth of his daughter Laia in April.
Amorós will now return to a club that sits in first place in the NWSL standings and is currently on a franchise record 10-match unbeaten run. Harris guided the Bats to four wins and three draws during the five-week period that Amorós was away.
The club’s continued success during that period is proof that Gotham thrives through a collective of sharp coaching minds, with the whole becoming greater than the sum of its parts.
Gotham’s Coaching Depth Goes Beyond Amorós and Harris
Former North Carolina Courage head coach Sean Nahas has been assisting the club as a consultant and interim director of methodology.
Brody Sams serves as head goalkeeping coach alongside former Gotham keeper Michelle Betos, who holds dual roles as assistant goalkeeping coach and team culture lead.
Amorós’ brother Guillermo is in charge of offensive set pieces, while Anton Blackwood, head of player development and management, handles personalized individual player development plans.
Assistant coach and analyst Ak Lakhani, head of analysis Zoë Mattheson and performance analyst and scout Juan Coste Delvecchio round out Gotham’s technical staff.
Amorós Returns With Gotham FC Chasing the NWSL Shield
Amorós is expected to return to the touchline for Sunday’s road meeting with Denver Summit FC. Should Gotham FC add its first NWSL Shield to the club’s trophy cabinet, Harris and the entire technical staff deserve credit for maintaining high standards during Amorós’ leave.
“I’m proud of the team and the group, especially the staff and the players really coming together and showing support for me and the rest of the team,” Harris said following last Friday’s 1-1 home draw against Portland Thorns FC.
“In-house, we’ve got a really good environment and culture, and everyone wants to improve and challenge each other and raise their standards. I think we put in some really good performances. Some tough times with injuries, players leaving and there’s a lot of stuff going on.
“When you’re on the road for three-game weeks, it is really difficult. I just can’t thank everyone enough for all the support and energy and commitment that they put in, which makes my job a lot easier. I’m really proud to step in and step up, and now we’re looking forward to having Juan back and hopefully we can get the job done.”
Sunday’s match at Centennial Stadium is scheduled for 2 p.m. Eastern Time and will be carried nationally on CBS.
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