Thorns name Mike Norris as Technical Director, appoint Rob Gale interim head coach
A global search for the next permanent head coach will begin immediately.
In the midst of their worst start to an NWSL season, the Portland Thorns have made a change. The Thorns announced today that Mike Norris will serve as Technical Director for the team moving forward, and assistant coach Rob Gale will serve as interim head coach.
The team will also begin a global search to find the sixth permanent head coach in the Thorns history.
“After an in-depth review, we have decided to start to reorganize our soccer operations department to better serve our club and our athletes,” said Karina LeBlanc, General Manager of the Thorns. “Thorns FC have set the standard for excellence in the league. These changes will help us maximize our strengths as we continuously pursue championship-level success.”
Portland certainly has not been living up to that standard this season so far. Portland has recorded three losses and one draw in their first four games, and have yet to record a win. Norris, who was named Thorns head coach prior to the 2023 season, had amassed a 10-7-8 record as head coach and led Portland to a second-place finish last year. But some of his decisions made early on in the 2024 season have been head-scratchers, including starting a new and unfamiliar backline in Portland’s opener.
Based on the lack of response from his squad, it was clear that a change very likely needed to be made in order for the Thorns to turn things around.
The change isn’t surprising, but the nature of it is. Rather than losing his job, Norris is getting a promotion to Technical Director. In his new role, Norris “will focus on scouting, talent acquisition and player development” for the Thorns.
LeBlanc expanded on her decision to elevate Norris in an interview with Meg Linehan of The Athletic, explaining that while the decision to reshuffle things has been “painful one”, she believes that Norris’ strengths as a “processor” will make him a better fit for the Technical Director role.
In Norris’ stead will step Rob Gale to lead the team. Gale has been on staff for the Thorns since before the 2023 season, and has head coaching experience from his time in charge of Valour FC in the Canadian Premier League from 2018 - 2021.
It can be assumed that Gale’s experience and rapport with the Thorns players is why he’s been tabbed for the interim HC role, rather than someone like Sarah Lowdon, who joined Portland’s staff this year and served in an interim head coaching role just last year with the Houston dash.
In the long term, the Thorns once again find themselves in a head coaching search. It it is one that they need to get right if the team is to return to the top perch which the talent on this roster deserves.
The influence of the Bhathal family and RAJ Sports has already been felt in Portland with Sophia Smith’s contract extension. It is about to be felt in an even bigger and more consequential way with who and how they find to be the next Portland Thorns head coach.
You can read the Thorns full press release here.
I know the season has been a complete shitshow, but everything off-field that's happened since the Bhathals have taken over has been really, really encouraging:
- Moultrie extension
- Smith extension (and the faith that her signing amidst said shitshow indicates)
- Academy investment
- Focus on training facility (though they'll need to do more than talk)
- Quick action on getting rid of Norris once it became clear the situation was untenable
- Staff expansions
- Promising young international signings
Really excited to see what they can come up with coaching prospect wise. I hope we hear about potential candidates cause I'd love to know what pools they're swimming in and what type of profiles they're looking at. Exciting times!
Nice guy, good guy, company man, would love to have a pint and talk footy with him.
The Bhathal era has officially begun, and Karina is on the clock.