Nadine Angerer is the New Portland Thorns Goalkeeping Coach

In the wake of her retirement from professional soccer, former Portland Thorns goalkeeper Nadine Angerer won't be leaving the team after all; instead the 2013 FIFA Women's Players of the Year is rejoining the team as the new goalkeeping coach under new head coach Mark Parsons.

Angerer, 37, was a large part of the Thorns roster after joining the team in 2014, but decided to end her playing career after a final appearance in the 2015 Women's World Cup where she captained Germany to the tournament's semifinal round. Angered played her final professional match in Providence Park with the Thorns on August 30th against the Washington Spirit.

Angerer will replace former Paul Riley assistant Scott Vallow in the position. There has been no announcement yet on whether Riley's other assistant coaches, Michael Demakis, Skip Thorp, and Scot Thompson, will stay with the team.

Demakis seems unlikely to stay, given his strong ties to Riley as the Director of Strength and Conditioning for the Paul Riley Soccer School, while "Scot with One T" Thompson seems likely to stay with the organization in some capacity. Thorp, noted during his time with Wake Forest for his goalkeeping knowledge and overall coaching experience, could go either way.

The Thorns' press release:

THORNS FC NAME NADINE ANGERER AS GOALKEEPER COACH
Recently retired Thorns FC, Germany Women’s National Team goalkeeper to serve as part of coaching staff for 2016 season

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC today announced the addition of recently retired Thorns FC and Germany Women’s National Team goalkeeper Nadine Angerer as Portland’s goalkeeper coach for the 2016 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season.

"I’m very happy to be coming back to Portland. Over the past two years, Portland has become my second home," said Angerer. "I am very thankful that the Thorns have given me the chance to share my knowledge with our goalkeepers – it’s a dream come true. Mark [Parsons] and I are working very closely together and I have a positive feeling about the upcoming season."

Angerer, 37, played her final two professional seasons with Thorns FC, appearing in 28 matches (all starts) during the 2014 and 2015 seasons for Portland. The German international announced her retirement from professional and international soccer prior to the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and played in her final professional game on Aug. 30 against the Washington Spirit at Providence Park.

"Nadine is a first-class professional who will bring invaluable experience and knowledge to the coaching staff," said Thorns FC head coach Mark Parsons. "She will be very important to the goalkeepers and the whole team as Nadine is a winner and knows what it takes to be the best, day in and day out."

The Germany Women’s National Team captain was selected to her fifth FIFA Women’s World Cup roster in 2015, helping lead Germany to the semifinal round of the tournament. The 2013 FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year was a candidate for the award again in 2015 after starting and playing every minute in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. In addition, she was also named to the FIFA Women’s World Cup All-Star Team. 

Earning her first international cap at the age of 17 in 1996, Angerer finished her decorated international career with 146 caps, playing against England in the bronze medal match of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in her final international match. In 2007, Angerer made her first appearance at a FIFA Women’s World Cup, leading Germany to its second FIFA Women’s World Cup title, while not conceding a goal during the entire tournament.