Canada women’s national team head coach Kenneth Heiner-Møller to leave role in August

Canada Soccer announced on Wednesday that Women's National Team Head Coach Kenneth Heiner-Møller will leave his role at the end of August.

Heiner-Møller, who took the job from current Canadian Men's National Team coach John Herdman in 2018, helped Canada qualify for the 2019 Women's World Cup, and 2020 Summer Olympics. He was an assistant coach under Herdman at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, helping guide Canada to a bronze medal.

Those 2020 Olympics will now take place in Tokyo in 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and Canada Soccer are already looking for a replacement.

“Canada Soccer wishes Mr. Heiner-Møller all the best in his return to the Danish Football Association and thank him for his contributions to our Women’s National Team Program,” said Steven Reed, Canada Soccer President in a press release. “He is a highly-regarded coach who gained the respect of the Canadian soccer community in his time with our organization and we thank him for his genuine approach with both players and staff.”

Heiner-Møller had nothing but positive things to say about Canada Soccer as well.

“This was not an easy decision to make because of the quality of the people that I have had the pleasure to work with since my time at Canada Soccer,” said Heiner-Møller in a press release. “As a leader in the women’s game, Canada Soccer’s investment in the Women’s National Team Program will ensure its continued success. I would like to thank the players, staff and Canada Soccer for the opportunity to represent a great nation and program who I have every confidence will return to the podium at Tokyo 2020.”

Heiner-Møller will be returning to his native Denmark, moving into a role as the Head of Coach Education at the Danish Football Association.