Celtic: Fran Alonso leaves women's team to take charge at Houston Dash

Fran Alonso took charge at Celtic Women in January 2020; he won back-to-back Scottish Cups, a League Cup and led the club into the Champions League; Celtic are second in the SWPL this season — three points behind leaders Rangers

Friday 22 December 2023 16:59, UK

Fran Alonso has left Celtic Women after almost four years to take charge of NWSL side Houston Dash.

The Spaniard guided Celtic to consecutive Scottish Cup titles over the past two campaigns, plus League Cup success in 2021 but lost out on the league title on the final day of last season.

He also led the side in the preliminary rounds of the Champions League as Celtic made their debut in the competition.

Celtic are currently second in the Scottish Women's Premier League, three points behind Rangers after their draw at Hearts prior to the winter break.

The Hoops face their Old Firm rivals in the Sky Sports Cup semi-finals in January, with a match against Ayr United in the Scottish Cup also on the horizon when domestic action returns next month.

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Alonso joined from Lewes in England, having previously worked as Ronald Koeman's first-team assistant at Everton and Mauricio Pochettino's technical coach at Southampton.

Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson said he was 'disappointed' to lose Alonso but confirmed the hunt for his replacement is already under way.

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Alonso said: «I was not born a Celtic supporter but I will definitely die as one and I will support Celtic for the rest of my life.

»The club, the team, the people and the Celtic community has been everything to me during the past four years and has