Bev Priestman ‘didn't feel safe' in Canada after spying ban, appointed at Wellington Phoenix
Priestman has been appointed at Wellington Phoenix Women, the New Zealand club which competes in the Australian A-League, following the expiration of her suspension from football-related activities due to 'offensive behaviour and violation of the principles of fair play.'
The 39-year-old Englishwoman was removed as Canada coach in August 2024 following the spying scandal that overshadowed the nation's Olympics campaign. A staff member for Canada was caught flying a drone over a training session of opponents New Zealand, with it subsequently emerging that drone use against opponents predated that tournament.
'I didn't feel safe (living in Canada after the Olympics),' Priestman said at a news conference, via AFP. 'That's being brutally honest. It was very difficult for my family, and I have to live with that.
'It was an absolute media frenzy. You've got people knocking at your door and everything, and I've got a little boy. Without going into too much detail, it was very difficult. We knew we had to get out of that country.'
Referencing the expiration of her ban, Priestman said: 'There's certain values that I hold and unfortunately, you know, things around me have clouded my judgement.
'So for me personally, I just want to get back to … I love working with people. I love getting the best out of people. I love being on a football pitch.'
Priestman — married to Emma Humphries, a former New Zealand international midfielder — has said she aims to 'bring some special moments to not only this city, but this country.'
Priestman won 30 of her 56 matches in charge of Canada and led the team to the gold medal at the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo in August 2021.
Wellington Phoenix, who were previously managed by Paul Temple, finished ninth of 12 in last season's A-League.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Canada, International Football, Women's Soccer, Olympics, Women's World Cup
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