December 22, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Houston Dash News Release
HOUSTON – The Houston Dash announced today that Francisco (Fran) Alonso will join the team as the head coach following an extensive search led by general manager, Alex Singer. The Spainard brings unique experience at the professional level with women’s and men’s club teams across Europe to Houston.
“We’re excited to welcome Fran to Houston. Fran is a highly ambitious coach who shares a strong belief and passion in our vision to build an exciting brand of football and a winning culture,” Singer said. “He brings a track record of developing high potential players. Working with some of the best tacticians in the game, his football acumen, winning experience and player-centric leadership will drive us forward. We are already hard at work for 2024.”
Alonso comes to Houston after being at the helm Celtic FC Women, who compete in the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL). Under Alonso’s leadership, Celtic won two Scottish Cup titles in 2022 and 2023 plus a Scottish Premier League Cup in 2021. During his time at Celtic, Alonso has led the team to a 76-11-9 (WLD) record in the league and won three of the four cup competitions the team competed in. The Women’s Scottish Cup was not contested from 2020 till the end of 2021 due to COVID-19. In 2023, the Ghirls lead the SWPL in goals scored with 81 and have allowed just nine goals for a net positive goal differential of 72.
The Madrid, Spain native joined the Glasgow based team in 2020 as the first head coach in the team’s professional history, playing a key role in the team’s trajectory, quickly making an impact implementing his philosophy, while recruiting and developing players. Alonso was key in helping the club debut on the international stage by qualifying for two UEFA Women’s Champions’ League tournaments. On an individual basis, while under Alonso, 12 Celtic players were named to their respective national team for the first time and nine players earned their first senior team appearance.
“I am very excited for the opportunity to join the Houston Dash and coach in the NWSL, one of the best leagues in the world. Houston is the perfect place for me. It will be a great honor and a huge responsibility for me, and I can’t wait to meet the players, technical staff and management and work with such a talented group of professionals,” Alonso said. “I am very confident that we will be able to implement a brave, exciting, dynamic…