Lluis Cortes is set to step down from his position as head coach of the Ukraine women’s national team.
The 36-year-old’s contract with the Ukrainian Football Association (UFA) is set to expire on August 31 and he has decided against renewing his deal.
Cortes became the head coach of Ukraine women in 2021 after previously leading Barcelona Femeni. He joined on the prospect of the nation being able to host Euro 2025, but their bid was eventually cancelled due to Russia’s ongoing invasion of the country. This has influenced his decision not to continue as their head coach.
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Cortes is now in conversations with some National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) clubs over a potential move to the United States.
He joined Barcelona as an analyst in the summer of 2017 and eventually was part of the women’s assistant coaching team. At the beginning of 2019, he replaced Fran Sanchez as Barcelona Femeni head coach.
Under Cortes, Barcelona reached their first Women’s Champions League final in 2019, only to be defeated by 4-1 by Lyon.
Cortes was eventually successful in 2020 as Barcelona won the Spanish Primera Division title and Supercopa de Espana Femenia. They also lifted the Copa de la Reina which completed a Spanish domestic double.
His most successful campaign came in 2021 when Barcelona successfully defended their league crown after winning their opening 26 games. They also went on to lift the Women’s Champions League and Copa de la Reina to complete an historic treble.
(Photo: Boris Streubel – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
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