San Diego Waves interim coach Landon Donovan knows he has a “steep” learning curve ahead of him when training NWSL players and acknowledges that the process must be quick and on-the-spot.
The U.S. soccer legend, who will coach a professional women's team for the first time, was announced as the Wave's new interim coach last Friday. Less than a week after being hired, Donovan will make his debut on the sidelines on Tuesday in a Concacaf W Champions Cup match against Santa Fe FC in Panama City, Panama.
“Steep, for sure,” said Donovan at his introductory press conference on Monday. “I have a baseline, I know many of the players here [in San Diego] from watching over the last couple of seasons, but as far as the rest of the league goes… I'm going to have to rely on people, and I'm getting up to speed quickly.
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“I've been watching a lot of footage over the last two weeks to better understand the league.”
The 42-year-old will be looking to revive the NWSL Shield winners, who currently sit outside of a playoff position. Halfway through the regular season, the Wave have a record of 3 wins, 6 draws and 7 losses.
“There's going to be a lot of bumps along the way,” Donovan said. “You're not going to see a perfect team tomorrow by any means, but there's going to be progress. I think that's going to be evident. And ultimately, I don't want to live in fear, but we just want to be brave and try to do things the best I can.”
During Monday's press conference, Donovan also dismissed the notion that he sees the job as a stepping stone.
“I've been offered four MLS jobs since I started coaching and I've turned them all down, and there are several reasons for that,” Donovan said. “One is, in no particular order, I love San Diego. I love working with good people. I said [club president] Jill [Ellis] When I make a decision in my career, it's about people, the passion I have for it and the project.
“I met [sporting director and general manager] Cami [Ashton] and we got along immediately. I know Alex [Morgan] If you get to know these women long and fast, they are incredible people.
“People questioned my motivation when I didn't play in Europe my entire career. I was happy to be playing in LA and helping to build the MLS with good people. I had a passion for a project I believed in and was close to my family. So in that respect I'm different, I've always been different. I'm not worried about the next job or the next gig or what that means or what the stepping stone is.”
If the job is a stepping stone for him, the one he just took could be a permanent position, and Donovan hinted that there is a possibility he could stay with the Wave in the future.
“The door is open, but we have agreed to stay until the end of the season and then we will move on,” said the MLS Cup winner with LA Galaxy. “We have [Donovan and Ellis] both said, 'Look, if it's going well, then let's talk about it. If not, then one side doesn't want it or the other side doesn't want it, then that's not a problem.' There are no hard feelings and we'll move on.”
After Tuesday's game in Panama, the Waves return to NWSL play on August 24 with a home game against Angel City FC.
Donovan's only coaching experience at the professional level was with the now-defunct San Diego Loyal in the USL Championship from 2020-22. Internationally, he is the only American to record over 50 goals and assists for the United States.
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