Former US women's national team manager Jill Ellis is on the list of candidates for recently-opened coaching vacancy at D.C. United, according to a report from The Athletic that was later confirmed by ESPN.
The Athletic's Pablo Maurer was the first to report Ellis' candidacy, with ESPN's Jeff Carlisle later confirming the news. Ellis is reportedly on a list that includes a familiar MLS face in Jason Kreis, as well as German manager David Wagner. A club spokesperson said the club is taking a very thorough and methodical approach to the hiring.
D.C. United parted ways with longtime head coach Ben Olsen last week amid a rough 2020 season.
Should Ellis be hired, it would be a landmark moment, as she would become the first woman to manage an MLS team. She certainly has the necessary experience, leading the USWNT from 2014-2019 and winning two World Cups before stepping down after the 2019 victory.
Since leaving the USWNT, Ellis has been working in an ambassador role with the US Soccer Federation.
