Latest news with #Straus
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
New Angel City coach Alex Straus sees communication as key to building winning culture
New Angel City coach Alex Straus said he values strong communication with players as he pushes to succeed. (Al Seib/For The Times) Alexander Straus was fewer than two weeks from his first training session as Angel City FC coach. Yet, Angel City president and co-founder Julie Uhrman wanted to see her new manager at work. She flew to Portugal, where Straus was completing his three-season stint as FC Bayern Munich coach — a club the 49-year-old Norwegian led to three consecutive Frauen-Bundesliga titles and a 57-7-2 league record. Advertisement As Uhrman watched Straus coach Bayern Munich at the inaugural World Sevens Football tournament, she already was familiar with his technical acumen that was on display en route to a championship victory over Manchester United. That was not a surprise. But what caught Uhrman's attention was Straus' relationships with his players. Angel City coach Alex Straus speaks to reporters during his first news conference while club president and co-founder Julie Uhrman looks on and laughs Wednesday in Thousand Oaks. (Al Seib/For The Times) 'What I saw was something that you don't get in an interview process and you don't read on the [curriculum vitae,]' Uhrman said. 'The connection he had with his teams was palpable. The way that they would celebrate him, the joy that they brought him, and vice versa, was just something you can't learn in an interview process and it's something that's so critical to Angel City.' Advertisement So, when Straus, reserved and quiet until he opened his mouth, began to speak during his introductory news conference Wednesday morning as the third Angel City head coach in four seasons since inception — with Uhrman and sporting director Mark Parsons bookending him at the podium — he leaned on his beliefs. How Straus wants Angel City to play on the pitch, is the same as how he wants to interact with his players in the locker room — and the state-of-the-art performance center on Cal Lutheran University's campus. 'My philosophy is centered around people,' said Straus, who asked the media to 'bear with' his English after spending four years in Germany. 'I'm here to facilitate for our players to be able to go out on a pitch, have a clear plan and know how to execute it.' Read more: Angel City hires Bayern Munich's Alexander Straus as new head coach Advertisement Straus continued: 'I need to know people, and I need to know what makes them tick. So how can I get the best out of Sarah Gorden or Christen Press or Riley Tiernan or Alyssa Thompson? How can I get the best out of them?' Earlier in his career, Straus said he overly cared about trophies, medals and success. In 2018, he said his worldview shifted. Straus — who said he considered previous coaching opportunities in America, but didn't feel the timing was right — realized he needed to craft bonds and relationships with his players to cultivate a positive team culture, one that could lead to championships. Uhrman saw the bonds on display in Portugal while Straus was still with Bayern Munich and Parsons has watched the baby steps Straus is taking with Angel City in his first few days as official coach. 'Through this process, Meeting 1 to Meeting 3, I just didn't think this person existed,' Parsons said, adding that during the coaching search he spoke to Straus' former players and staff. 'I really mean that I didn't believe this type of quality existed, and I couldn't be happier that we've got him here.' Advertisement Read more: Not done yet: Christen Press embracing her role as Angel City's elder stateswoman What stood out to Parsons, he said, was that even players who didn't play much under Straus — who may have left for better opportunities — would still speak positively about the clarity, confidence that Angel City's new coach provided them. Straus — and the Angel City backroom staff — are well aware that winning isn't an overnight process. The club sits in seventh place in NWSL standings with a 4-2-4 record. In some matches, Angel City has exerted control and played the style Parsons said he wants to see asserted. But in other matches, such as recent defeats to Bay FC and Racing Louisville, Angel City has faltered — often losing despite controlling possession. Uhrman stressed she wanted a coach who could help the team bounce back from defeat, or setbacks. She and Parsons believe Straus can do that. He doesn't take falling short lightly. When pushed on his UEFA Women's Champions League record since 2022 on Wednesday during a side media session, Straus spent six-and-a-half minutes breaking down why Bayern Munich fell short in the quarterfinals or group stages, adding what he learned from each losing experience. Advertisement Straus said he's always open to talking. Angel City players, however, will have only a few more days to get to know the new coach before Straus takes the touchline Saturday at BMO Stadium against the Chicago Stars. 'One thing is to win one year, one game,' Straus said. "But it needs to be consistent, and it needs to be built on a foundation where you are always the ones that have been spoken about when it comes to challenging for winning the championship. 'That's why we are here, and that's what we want to do.' Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
New Angel City coach Alex Straus sees communication as key to building winning culture
Alexander Straus was fewer than two weeks from his first training session as Angel City FC coach. Yet, Angel City president and co-founder Julie Uhrman wanted to see her new manager at work. She flew to Portugal, where Straus was completing his three-season stint as FC Bayern Munich coach — a club the 49-year-old Norwegian led to three consecutive Frauen-Bundesliga titles and a 57-7-2 league record. As Uhrman watched Straus coach Bayern Munich at the inaugural World Sevens Football tournament, she already was familiar with his technical acumen that was on display en route to a championship victory over Manchester United. That was not a surprise. But what caught Uhrman's attention was Straus' relationships with his players. 'What I saw was something that you don't get in an interview process and you don't read on the [curriculum vitae,]' Uhrman said. 'The connection he had with his teams was palpable. The way that they would celebrate him, the joy that they brought him, and vice versa, was just something you can't learn in an interview process and it's something that's so critical to Angel City.' So, when Straus, reserved and quiet until he opened his mouth, began to speak during his introductory news conference Wednesday morning as the third Angel City head coach in four seasons since inception — with Uhrman and sporting director Mark Parsons bookending him at the podium — he leaned on his beliefs. How Straus wants Angel City to play on the pitch, is the same as how he wants to interact with his players in the locker room — and the state-of-the-art performance center on Cal Lutheran University's campus. 'My philosophy is centered around people,' said Straus, who asked the media to 'bear with' his English after spending four years in Germany. 'I'm here to facilitate for our players to be able to go out on a pitch, have a clear plan and know how to execute it.' Straus continued: 'I need to know people, and I need to know what makes them tick. So how can I get the best out of Sarah Gorden or Christen Press or Riley Tiernan or Alyssa Thompson? How can I get the best out of them?' Earlier in his career, Straus said he overly cared about trophies, medals and success. In 2018, he said his worldview shifted. Straus — who said he considered previous coaching opportunities in America, but didn't feel the timing was right — realized he needed to craft bonds and relationships with his players to cultivate a positive team culture, one that could lead to championships. Uhrman saw the bonds on display in Portugal while Straus was still with Bayern Munich and Parsons has watched the baby steps Straus is taking with Angel City in his first few days as official coach. 'Through this process, Meeting 1 to Meeting 3, I just didn't think this person existed,' Parsons said, adding that during the coaching search he spoke to Straus' former players and staff. 'I really mean that I didn't believe this type of quality existed, and I couldn't be happier that we've got him here.' What stood out to Parsons, he said, was that even players who didn't play much under Straus — who may have left for better opportunities — would still speak positively about the clarity, confidence that Angel City's new coach provided them. Straus — and the Angel City backroom staff — are well aware that winning isn't an overnight process. The club sits in seventh place in NWSL standings with a 4-2-4 record. In some matches, Angel City has exerted control and played the style Parsons said he wants to see asserted. But in other matches, such as recent defeats to Bay FC and Racing Louisville, Angel City has faltered — often losing despite controlling possession. Uhrman stressed she wanted a coach who could help the team bounce back from defeat, or setbacks. She and Parsons believe Straus can do that. He doesn't take falling short lightly. When pushed on his UEFA Women's Champions League record since 2022 on Wednesday during a side media session, Straus spent six-and-a-half minutes breaking down why Bayern Munich fell short in the quarterfinals or group stages, adding what he learned from each losing experience. Straus said he's always open to talking. Angel City players, however, will only have a few more days to get to know the new coach before Straus takes the touchline Saturday at BMO Stadium against the Chicago Stars. 'One thing is to win one year, one game,' Straus said. 'But it needs to be consistent, and it needs to be built on a foundation where you are always the ones that have been spoken about when it comes to challenging for winning the championship.' 'That's why we are here, and that's what we want to do.'
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
RICHARD EDEN: How William could retaliate against Meghan and Harry after they betrayed agreement with Queen, told to me by Palace insiders
When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex abandoned royal duties for the US in 2020, the late Queen Elizabeth was keen to emphasise they would 'always be much-loved members of my family'. In a personal statement issued by Buckingham Palace that January, the Queen seemed to accept Harry and Meghan's explanation that they wanted to leave Britain because they were desperate for more privacy. 'I recognise the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life,' Her Majesty said. Heaven knows what she would have made of the couple's publicity-seeking in the five years since – including Meghan's latest promotional video for her lifestyle brand, As Ever, featuring the couple's young children, Archie and Lilibet. Insiders have previously told me that the Queen was gravely concerned about the Sussexes' plans to make money. She knew all too well from previous experience – such as with Edward and Sophie's commercial projects 25 years ago – of the scandals that can lurk for royals trying to earn money. Heaven knows what the Queen would have made of the couple's publicity-seeking in the past five years, writes RICHARD EDEN. Lilibet (pictured in an image posted on social media by Meghan) featured in the Duchess's latest promotional video for her lifestyle brand That is why she made her grandson and his American wife agree not to use their HRH titles in their commercial ventures. Significantly, below the Queen's 2020 statement was another 'from Buckingham Palace', which read: 'The Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty. The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.' This week, we have seen evidence that appears to show the couple have broken this agreement with the late Queen. On Monday, Meghan's friend, cosmetics entrepreneur and podcast host Jamie Kern Lima, uploaded an interview with the duchess to her YouTube channel. In the video, she included an image of a gift basket Meghan had given her containing the duchess's homemade jam, two tubs of Straus organic ice cream, flowers and a card reading: 'With the compliments of HRH, The Duchess of Sussex.' While her representatives have denied she is continuing to use the title for commercial purposes, it is not the first time the duchess has publicised it in recent weeks. The Queen was initially delighted at the speed with which Meghan became a member of the Royal Family but her departure caused a deep rift A fortnight ago, she posted a message she'd received on her Instagram account, addressing her as 'Your Royal Highness'. As I noted at the time, it seemed a deliberately provocative act to publish the message, which had been sent by a Ukrainian government minister. And my sources question whether provocation could be the aim. 'Harry and Meghan are like rebellious teenagers,' one insider told me this week. 'They're constantly pushing the boundaries to test what they can get away with.' Senior courtiers have made clear that they do not expect King Charles to take action against his younger son and daughter-in-law. Our monarch has always avoided confrontation and has sought to keep options open for the Sussexes should they seek a return to royal duties. For instance, he has not removed Harry from his role as a Counsellor of State, which could see his son standing in for royal duties in the case of an emergency. Instead, the King requested that Princess Anne and Prince Edward were added to the list of Counsellors, so there would be less need for Harry or the scandal-hit Prince Andrew to be called upon. The request was duly turned into a Bill and approved by Parliament in 2022. From what I have been told this week, William would not be so indulgent of his brother. Friends say they would expect the Prince of Wales to take measures against Harry and Meghan once he is on the throne. One pointed to William's public denial after the Sussexes' explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021. 'We are very much not a racist family,' he told a reporter when asked about Meghan's claim that a family member had questioned the skin colour of her future children. 'That gives you a taste of the no-nonsense approach that he would take,' my source told me. It seems a starkly different mood to Queen Elizabeth's 2020 statement, when she said she was 'particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family'. If the Sussexes want to retain those 'family' bonds, it appears they may need to consign their HRH titles to the past. Sign up for Richard Eden's Royal Newsletter.
Forbes
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Angel City FC Hire Alexander Straus As New Head Coach
After several months of searching for a new head coach, Angel City FC announced the hiring of Alexander Straus, who will join the club on June 1, 2025, after concluding his tenure with FC Bayern München Women. Since their inaugural season, Straus is the third head coach as the club parted ways with former head coach Becki Tweed at the end of the 2024 NWSL season. With the hiring of Straus, it marks the first male head coach hire for the club. 'When we set out to hire our head coach, we looked for specific characteristics such as a dominant style of play, a proven winner at the highest level, a focus on player development, a collaborative mindset, and a leader in high performance,' said Sporting DIrector Mark Parsons. 'Alex fits this profile at every measure. He has consistently demonstrated an ability to unite teams under a shared purpose, inspire players to grow and perform at their peak, and deliver results consistently. I'm truly confident Alex's experience, commitment to team culture, and tactical intelligence will strengthen our foundation as we aim to bring championships to Los Angeles.' In his 10+ year coaching career, Straus has recorded several key milestones as he made history by leading Sandviken to their first-ever Toppserien league title and a Norwegian Cup final in 2021. Additionally, in his first season with FC Bayern Munich Women, he went on to earn his first Bundesliga title in 2022/2023 and then earned his second in 2023/2024. Straus is also currently en route to closing out his time with the club with their third straight league title with the club. 'Our search for a head coach was comprehensive and intentional, ensuring we considered a diverse pool of exceptional candidates,' said CEO and Co-Founder Julie Urhman. 'Alex stood out for his winning track record, commitment to player development, and alignment with our club's values. We are thrilled to welcome him to Angel City and are confident in his ability to lead our team into a championship-winning era.' The club began the 2025 season under Interim Head Coach Sam Laity with an undefeated streak in their first four opening games with a 2-2-0 (wins, draws, losses) record. When Straus arrives at the club, Laity will remain with the team as an assistant coach. Despite being the lone club in the league to start the 2025 regular season without a fulltime head coach, the club has recorded their best start to the season in their club history. Angel City will resume their regular season on Friday, April 18 against Gotham FC at 7:30pm PT/10:30pm ET. Straus' first match with the club will be on Saturday, June 7 at 7pm PT/10pm ET against the Chicago Red Stars.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Alexander Straus to become Angel City head coach in June
Alexander Straus to become Angel City head coach in June Angel City has announced the appointment of Bayern Munich's Alexander Straus as the club's new head coach. reported on Thursday Straus was set to become the next head coach of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) side, and Angel later confirmed he would officially join the club on June 1. Advertisement Straus' Bayern exit was announced by the German team on Thursday morning, with the Norwegian to remain in charge until the end of May. A Bayern statement said the decision to part ways 11 months into the two-year extension Straus signed last year was at his request 'to pursue a new challenge.' Bayern players were told on Wednesday and the squad was moved by his departure. Angel City sporting director Mark Parsons said: 'When we set out to hire our head coach, we looked for specific characteristics such as a dominant style of play, a proven winner at the highest level, a focus on player development, a collaborative mindset, and a leader in high performance. Alex fits this profile at every measure.' Angel City fired previous head coach Becki Tweed in December and subsequently conducted an extensive search for her replacement. Sam Laity has been serving as interim head coach since Tweed's departure. Advertisement Parsons said on 's Full Time with Meg Linehan podcast in February that the search had been narrowed down to four candidates in what had been a 'very detailed and thorough process.' Straus was hired as Bayern head coach in 2022 and led the team to back-to-back Frauen-Bundesliga titles in 2022-23 and 23-24. Before joining Bayern, the 49-year-old coached SK Brann in the top flight of his native Norway, winning the league twice. Bayern are currently on course to win a third straight league title and are eight points clear of second-placed Wolfsburg. They have three league games remaining this season and can win the title if they beat Freiburg at home on Sunday. Advertisement Angel City have enjoyed an undefeated start to the 2025 NWSL season and are fourth in the standings after two wins and two draws. The club played its inaugural season in 2022 and made the playoffs the following year, before finishing 12th and missing the postseason in 2024, which saw Tweed leave her role. Parsons has overseen the coaching hiring process since he joined Angel City in December as the club's sporting director following the departure of general manager Angela Hucles. Hucles parted ways with the club in December, two months after the NWSL sanctioned the organization for salary cap violations earlier last season. That included a $200,000 fine and a three-point deduction from its 2024 standings for violations of league rules in the 2023 season that resulted in Angel City exceeding the salary cap in 2024. Hucles, along with club president Julie Uhrman, were suspended from all player transaction duties through the end of 2024. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Bayern Munich, Angel City, NWSL, UK Women's Football 2025 The Athletic Media Company
