NWSL's Wave hire Landon Donovan as interim coach

National Soccer Hall of Famer Landon Donovan took over on Friday as the interim head coach of the NWSL's San Diego Wave.

Donovan, 42, takes over for Paul Buckle, who had been serving as the team's interim coach but had agreed to the role only for the summer.

Wave general manager Camille Ashton said in a statement, "First off, we want to thank Paul for his professionalism and honoring his commitment to see us through this summer window. We are thrilled to have Landon join the club and lead the team for the remainder of the season, including the first-ever CONCACAF W Champions Cup.

"Landon's level of knowledge, understanding and experience as both a player and a coach, provides us with a leader that can help guide this club to where we want to be -- in a playoff position and competing for a Championship. His passion for this city and growing the game, along with having a player-first mentality, make him a natural fit for this club."

Donovan's previous coaching experience all came as head coach of a men's team, the USL Championship's San Diego Loyal, from 2020-22. He spent the next year as the Loyal's executive vice president before the team folded.

Donovan ranks among the best players in U.S. men's national team history and the Major League Soccer history. With 57 goals for the USMNT (in 157 appearances), he is tied with Clint Dempsey for the program's all-time lead. Donovan ranks first for the national team with 58 assists, and he appeared in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cups.

He won the MLS Cup championship a record six times, is the all-time MLS assist leader with 136 and ranks third with 145 goals. His impact on the league was such that MLS' most valuable player award is named in his honor.

The Wave (3-7-6, 15 points) sit in 10th place in the 14-team NWSL as play is set to resume next week after an Olympic break. Buckle lost both of his regular-season matches in charge after Casey Stoney was fired in June.

Donovan's first match in charge will be on Tuesday in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup against Santa Fe FC in Panama City, Panama. San Diego will play host to Angel City FC in its next NWSL match on Aug. 24.

--Field Level Media