Lisa Cole, a former technical advisor for the Zambia Women’s National Team, is willing to return to the country and take over as head coach if offered the position.
Prior to the 2023 FIFA World Cup in July, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) appointed the American, a former head coach for the Fiji Women’s National Team, as a technical advisor to the Copper Queens coaching staff led by Bruce Mwape.
She was a member of the team that defeated Germany 4-3 in a pre-World Cup game, as well as the Copper Queens’ World Cup campaign in New Zealand and Australia, where they made a disappointing debut, losing 5-0 to Japan and eventual winners Spain in the group stage before winning a 3-1 consolation match against Costa Rica.
The 51-year-old left the Copper Queens after the tournament, with FAZ stating that she was “contracted for the World Cup only, and anything beyond that was always going to be a new arrangement.”
Following the Copper Queens’ underwhelming performance at the recently concluded 2024 Paris Olympics, fans have repeatedly called for head coach Bruce Mwape’s resignation.
Despite the several calls, some of whom have even suggested names for Mwape’s replacement, the FAZ has yet to confirm whether he will remain as head coach of the Copper Queens post Olympics.
Lisa Cole on Copper Queens coaching role
Cole who was one of the USWNT Olympic gold medal-winning coach Emma Hayes’s advisors in Paris revealed in an exclusive interview with BolaNews that she wanted to return to Zambia after the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, but talks with FAZ did not result in an offer.
When asked about her desire to coach the Copper Queens, Cole stated that she is open to taking the job if offered.
“I would have liked to have returned post WC [2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup] but that didn’t happen,” she said. “I have had conversations [with FAZ] at different points but no offer. Who knows maybe, in the future.”
Cole has held several international coaching positions, including head coach of the Papua New Guinea U20 Women’s National Team between 2015 and 2017. In 2018, she also served on the technical bench for the US U17 Women’s National Team.
She has extensive coaching experience in women’s football, having also served as both an assistant and head coach in the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS), which later evolved into the current National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
Cole is also widely recognized for her role in establishing the NWSL in 2012. She coached the Boston Breakers in the NWSL in 2013, and they finished fifth in the regular season.
She was also an assistant coach for the Houston Dash and a professional scout for the Washington Spirit.
Meanwhile, it is understood that FAZ may struggle to replace Mwape due to budget constraints.
According to a 2022 Memorandum of Understanding between FAZ and Government, it was proposed that the government shall pay a monthly net salary to the Senior Men’s National Football Team Head Coach of $15,000 per month while FAZ will pay $15,000.
It was also proposed that the Assistant Men’s coach shall be paid a net salary of $10,000 per month, while the Women National Team Head Coach will be paid $15,000. However, it is unconfirmed if these proposals were approved.
A section of fans has also called on the government to provide financial assistance to FAZ in order to improve the Copper Queens’ technical bench ahead of the Morocco 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which will be held in July of next year.
