Angel City and GM Angela Hucles Mangano Part Ways After Tumultuous Season
In a surprising move, NWSL“>Angel City FC announced they have parted ways with General Manager Angela Hucles Mangano. Assistant General Manager Matt Wade will serve as interim General Manager as the Los Angeles club starts a search for a permanent replacement.
A Tumultuous Tenure
Hucles Mangano’s departure comes just months after Willow Bay and Bob Iger purchased a controlling ownership stake in Angel City for a valuation of $250 million.
“Angela’s passion and commitment to Angel City runs deep. From day one, Angela has poured her heart into building something truly special,” said ACFC President Julie Uhrman. “From volunteering at community events to securing our initial home at Cal Lutheran University to pulling off one of the most important trades in our history, securing the number one draft pick in 2023, Angela has been instrumental in setting the foundation for our culture and purpose that defines us today.”
Hucles Mangano’s tenure was marked by both highs and lows. She joined the club in 2021 as VP of player development before being promoted to General Manager during the club’s inaugural NWSL season in 2022, replacing Eniola Aluko. Early on, she made a bold move, firing head coach Freya Coombe after just 11 matches in mid-2023. However, the move proved successful as assistant coach Becki Tweed led Angel City on a remarkable run, securing a playoff berth for the first time in franchise history.
The 2024 season began with Hucles Mangano promoting Tweed to head coach. However, the team struggled, ultimately finishing 12th in the standings and missing the playoffs. The lackluster performance contributed to a sense of unease surrounding the club.
Salary Cap Scandal
Adding to the turmoil surrounding the club, Hucles Mangano and Uhrman were suspended by the NWSL in October 2024 for violating league rules related to the salary cap. The club faced a three-point deduction and a $200,000 fine.
Investigations revealed that during calendar year 2023, Angel City entered into five side letters directly with players, impacting multi-year agreements. These side letters contained undisclosed payments that were not reported to the league, leading ACFC to exceed the salary cap by approximately $50,000 for a four-week period in the 2024 season.
Roster Building Success and Setbacks
Despite the controversies, Hucles Mangano had success in assembling the roster. The club’s young talents like sisters Alyssa and Gisele Thompson, as well as US youth national team star Kennedy Fuller, showed promise for the future. She also played a key role in the development of Mary Alice Vignola, transforming her into one of the league’s top fullbacks. Her international free agent signing of Katie Zelem from Manchester United was a major coup for Angel City.
Unfortunately, injuries and a lack of depth ultimately proved to be Hucles Mangano’s undoing. In 2024, injuries to key players such as Jun Endo, Ali Riley, Merritt Mathias, and Christen Press left Angel City vulnerable and unable to sustain their success. The situation worsened when breakout rookie Madison Curry, who signed a one-year contract last offseason, departed on a free transfer to Seattle Reign, leaving fans frustrated.
As Angel City FC embarks on a new chapter with a new General Manager, the unfinished business looms large. The future of the club remains shrouded in uncertainty, casting a shadow over the early promise that Hucles Mangano helped build.
How will Angel City FC find success moving forward after Hucles Mangano’s departure?
## Angel City GM Departure: What Happened?
**[Host]:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re dissecting a major shakeup in the world of women’s soccer. Angel City FC, fresh off a tumultuous season, has parted ways with their General Manager, Angela Hucles Mangano. Joining us to discuss the details and what this means for the future of Angel City is sports journalist Alex Reed. Welcome to the show!
**[Alex Reed]:** Thanks for having me!
**[Host]:** So, Angela Hucles Mangano was instrumental in building Angel City from the ground up. What led to this sudden departure?
**[Alex Reed]:** It’s a mix of factors. While Angel City reached the playoffs for the first time in franchise history under Hucles Mangano’s tenure, this past season was a major disappointment. They finished 12th, missing the playoffs.
There’s also been a recent ownership change with Willow Bay and Bob Iger taking a controlling stake in the team. New ownership often brings fresh perspectives and a desire to make changes. Add to that a salary cap scandal that’s been hanging over the league, and you have a volatile environment for a GM.
**[Host]:** You mentioned the salary cap scandal. How does that play into this situation?
**[Alex Reed]:** Well, the NWSL has dealt with several scrutiny regarding salary cap violations in recent years. While the specifics of Angel City’s situation haven’t been publicly revealed, the league is currently investigating several teams, including Angel City. These investigations can be incredibly distracting and damaging to a team’s image, and it’s possible this factored into the decision.
**[Host]:** Hucles Mangano made some bold moves during her time, like firing head coach Freya Coombe mid-season. Looking back, do you think those decisions ultimately contributed to her departure?
**[Alex Reed]:** That’s a tough question. Firing Coombe was a major gamble[1] but it ultimately paid off, leading them to their first playoff appearance. The 2024 season didn’t go as planned though.
It’s hard to say if those decisions directly led to her departure, but they certainly add to the narrative of a turbulent tenure.
**[Host]:** What does this mean for the future of Angel City FC?
**[Alex Reed]:** It depends heavily on who they choose as a permanent replacement. This is a crucial time for the franchise. They need a leader who can navigate the salary cap issues, build a winning team, and restore stability to the franchise.
**[Host]:** Thank you for your insights, Alex Reed. This is certainly a story we’ll be following closely.
