PORTLAND, Ore. — Mike Norris is no longer the head coach of the Portland Thorns, the club announced Tuesday.
Assistant Coach Rob Gale has been named interim head coach while Norris has been moved to a new role as the club's technical director in a "reorganization" of its soccer operations. The Thorns said a global search for the next head coach will start immediately.
The change comes amid the Thorns' winless start to the NWSL season. In the first four games of the season, the Thorns have lost three games and just barely pulled off a tie against Racing Louisville. The club currently sits in last place in the standings.
“After an in-depth review, we have decided to start to reorganize our soccer operations department to better serve our club and our athletes,” Thorns General Manager and President Karina LeBlanc said in a statement. “Thorns FC have set the standard for excellence in the league. These changes will help us maximize our strengths as we continuously pursue championship-level success.”
Gale joined the Thorns as assistant coach prior to the start of 2023 season. Previously, he was a youth coach for New York City Football Club. He was also the head coach and general manager of Valour FC in the Canadian Premier League from 2018 to 2021.
Norris, who was named the head coach prior to the start of the 2023 season, posted a 10-7-8 record in the NWSL. He will now be in charge of scouting, talent acquisition and player development, according to the club. He was an assistant coach during the Thorns NWSL Championship season in 2022.
Gale will take over as the interim head coach heading into Saturday's match against the Houston Dash at Providence Park.