The Utah Royals have named Jimmy Coenraets the team’s new head coach, removing the interim tag from the Belgian manager after four months overseeing a revival of the team.
“I am incredibly proud to take on the role of head coach for the Utah Royals,” Coenraets said in a statement. “My focus is not only on winning but also on developing each player and colleague so that we can excel both as a team and as individuals, on and off the field.”
Coenraets took over as interim coach of the National Women’s Soccer League expansion side after Amy Rodriguez was fired on June 30.
Under Coenraets, the Royals put together a strong second half of the season in which they dragged themselves off the bottom of the table and nearly into the playoff race.
The Royals are 5-3-2 (W-L-D) under Coenraets and sit in 10th place heading into the final weekend.
The 17 points earned under Coenraets are three times as many as Utah earned under Rodriguez, in six fewer matches.
Only the Orlando Pride , NJ/NY Gotham FC and Washington Spirit — the top three — have collected more points than Utah since the league returned from its Olympic break in August.