Mark Parsons

Mark Richard David Parsons (born 8 August 1986) is an English football manager who is currently the head coach of the Netherlands women's national football team.[3]

Mark Parsons
Parsons coaching the Portland Thorns FC in October 2017
Personal information
Full name Mark Richard David Parsons[1]
Date of birth (1986-08-08) 8 August 1986
Place of birth Cranleigh, England[2]
Club information
Current team
 Netherlands (head coach)
Teams managed
Years Team
2004–2010 Chelsea Women Reserves
2012 D.C. United Women U-20
2013 Washington Spirit Reserves
2013–2015 Washington Spirit
2016–2021 Portland Thorns
2021– Netherlands women

Parsons holds USSF and UEFA A & B Licenses, a USSF National Youth License and a NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma.[4]

Managerial career

Chelsea Reserves

Parsons spent six years in multiple coaching roles in England, including time spent as the head coach of Chelsea Reserves[5][6] which he led to an unprecedented three championships in his first season.[7]

DC United Women Under-20s

In 2012, Parsons led the D.C. United Women Under-20s to the 2012 Super-20 League final, which they lost the final against Colorado Rapids Women.[8]

Washington Spirit Reserves

Parsons was signed by Washington Spirit on 16 March 2013 to manage their reserve team for the 2013 W-League season.[8]

Washington Spirit

Following the dismissal of Washington Spirit manager Mike Jorden in July 2013, Parsons was promoted to be the first team manager.[9][10] The team was at the bottom of the table halfway through the 2013 season when Parsons took over, but he led them to their first two home wins in 2013 and into the playoffs in both the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

Parsons stepped down from his position as head coach and GM of the Washington Spirit on 30 September 2015.[11]

Portland Thorns

On 5 October 2015, Parsons accepted the position as head coach of Portland Thorns FC.[12]

He led a new-look team through a 12-game undefeated streak from the beginning of the 2016 season, finishing as the regular season champions and winning the NWSL Shield but falling to the Western New York Flash in the Thorns' first-ever home playoff match on 2 October 2016.[13]

The Thorns repeated in securing a home playoff match in the 2017 season, in spite of suffering numerous injuries to the first xi throughout the season including the long term absence of Tobin Heath. After beating the Orlando Pride 4–1 in the semi finals, the Thorns won the NWSL championship by defeating the North Carolina Courage 1–0 in the final.

In March 2020 Mark Parsons signed a new lucrative, multi-year contract[14] with Portland.

Netherlands

On 20 May 2021, the KNVB announced that Parsons would succeed Sarina Wiegman as head coach of the Netherlands women's national football team after the conclusion of the 2020 Summer Olympics; he will continue to coach the Portland Thorns until the conclusion of the 2021 NWSL season.[3]

Managerial statistics

All competitive league games (league and domestic cup) and international matches (including friendlies) are included.

As of 13 July 2016
Team Nat Year Record
GWDLWin %
Washington Spirit Reserves 2013 15 9 2 4 060.00
Washington Spirit[15] 2013–2015 57 20 13 24 035.09
Portland Thorns FC 2016–present 46 27 10 9 058.70
Career Total 118 56 25 37 047.46

Personal life

Parsons is British and also holds US citizenship. He resides in Beaverton, Oregon, with his wife, Hannah and daughter, Edie.[10]

Honours

Portland Thorns FC

Individual

References
  1. "Netherlands | Squad | Women's World Cup". UEFA. Archived from the original on 7 January 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  2. Danzer, Paul (27 December 2016). "Suited for soccer success". Portland Tribune. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  3. "MARK PARSONS NIEUWE BONDSCOACH ORANJELEEUWINNEN". KNVB. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  4. "2021 Portland Thorns Media Guide". Portland, Oregon: Portland Thorns, FC. 2021. p. 6. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  5. Mark Parsons: The manager who went from Chelsea Reserves to Coach of the Year in America englishplayersabroad.com
  6. "Spirit part ways with head coach Mike Jorden". baltimoresoccernews.com. Archived from the original on 31 March 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  7. "Thorns FC name Mark Parsons as head coach for 2016 season". Thorns FC. 5 October 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  8. "Mark Parsons named Washington Spirit Reserves head coach". soccerwire.com. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  9. "Mark Parsons". washingtonspirit.com. Archived from the original on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  10. "Game Notes: Portland Thorns FC vs. Chicago Red Stars: June 22, 2016 by Portland Thorns FC – issuu". Portland Thorns FC. 22 June 2016.
  11. "Mark Parsons steps down". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  12. "Mark Parsons joins Thorns". oregonlive.com. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  13. Goldberg, Jamie (2 October 2016). "Portland Thorns eliminated from NWSL playoffs after 4–3 extra time loss to Western New York Flash". The Oregonian. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  14. Diamond, Drew (6 March 2020). "Mark Parsons commits future to Portland Thorns". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  15. "Spirit Announce Head Coach and General Manager Mark Parsons Will Not Return in 2016". 30 September 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  16. "Portland Thorns FC's Mark Parsons Voted Coach of the Year". National Women's Soccer League. 8 October 2016. Archived from the original on 4 October 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
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