The Chicago Stars have moved quickly to strengthen their technical leadership by hiring Vlatko Andonovski as chief soccer officer. The appointment comes days after his exit from the Kansas City Current and arrives as the Stars sit at the foot of the NWSL table.
What the role covers
The chief soccer officer role gives the Stars a single senior figure responsible for the club’s football strategy, from recruitment and contract decisions to coaching appointments and long-term player development. The club has said the position will start immediately, signalling a hands-on remit for the remainder of the season and into the off-season planning window. That combination of short-term rescue and long-term rebuild is the model several NWSL clubs have followed when results and squad coherence fail to match resources.
Why the hire matters now
Chicago’s league position makes any structural hire significant. The Stars are chasing stability as much as points. A chief soccer officer can centralise decision-making that previously rested with multiple staff members and make recruitment choices that fit a clear playing identity. The timing matters too: with the season still active, an incoming executive can influence immediate training processes, make targeted signings before the transfer window and shape the off-season plan without waiting for a full change of ownership or a replacement coach.
Andonovski’s track record
- Domestic success: He has won major trophies and individual coaching awards in the NWSL, which gives him credibility when negotiating with players and agents.
- Top-level experience: He has worked at national-team level with the United States, which means familiarity with elite player pathways and the demands on internationals.
- Squad-building focus: His background includes sporting-director responsibilities, so he brings both coaching insight and personnel management experience.
Immediate context and recent moves
The Stars’ appointment follows a terse exit statement from his previous employer, the Kansas City Current, which described his departure as a mutual termination and said the role was not the right fit. The quick turn to Chicago removes a period of uncertainty about his next step and hands the Stars a senior executive with a winning résumé. That history will be weighed by supporters and players alike: the practical question is whether his methods can be adapted to a club that needs rebuilding rather than maintaining an established contender.
What to expect next
Expect the Stars to prioritise three areas over the coming weeks. First, internal audit: a review of coaching structure, sports science and scouting to identify immediate gains. Second, targeted recruitment: the club will seek players who fit a clear tactical profile rather than broad changes that disrupt squad balance. Third, communication: an incoming chief soccer officer normally sets clearer expectations for the head coach and the playing group, which can help arrest a run of poor results even before signings land.
Risks and constraints
No executive appointment guarantees instant results. Structural issues at the club, budget limits and the constraints of the season calendar restrict what a chief soccer officer can deliver immediately. Success will depend on board support and the coherence of the football department. For a side at the bottom of the table, the first challenge is stabilisation: restoring confidence in training and match preparation while laying the groundwork for measurable improvement next season.
Longer-term implications
If the Stars back their new chief soccer officer with resources and time, the club can shape a consistent identity and recruitment pattern that reduces reliance on short-term fixes. For Andonovski, the role offers a chance to combine coaching instinct with executive oversight and to rebuild a project from the top down. How the Stars capitalise on that experience will determine whether this hire proves transformative or simply a high-profile attempt to halt a decline.
