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Hammarby coach set to take over in 2026.
CHICAGO, IL–Chicago Stars FC have appointed Martin Sjörgen to be their new head coach. In addition, Anders Jacobson will join as first assistant.
Sjörgen will finish the Swedish Damallsvenskan league season – where he currently serves as head coach for Hammarby – before joining the Stars for the start of the 2026 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season. Anderson will arrive in the coming weeks to become interim head coach while current interim coach Ella Masar will once again be an assistant. Assistant coach Karina Báez and goalkeeper coach Brenton Saylor will also be part of the technical staff.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Martin Sjögren and Anders Jacobson to Chicago Stars FC,” said Chicago Stars general manager, Richard Feuz. “This appointment is the result of a rigorous, data-driven hiring process and deep discussions about our soccer identity, methodology and long-term vision. We were not just looking for top-level coaches but for people with exceptional human values, leaders who align with our ambition to build a high-performance environment rooted in trust, unity, and a true sense of family. Martin and Anders will bring a wealth of international experience and are fully committed to developing a clear, intelligent and forward-thinking style of play that emphasizes control, collective ambition and attacking football. Together with the rest of our staff, they will play a key role in shaping our culture and helping each player grow individually, as we work relentlessly to reach our sporting goals.”
According to the Stars’ press release, the club underwent an extensive search that featured several coaching candidates from across the world. Prioritizing criteria like experience on the topflight professional level, international experience, experience managing a roster diverse in age, experience and culture, the club filtered down the candidate pool. To further narrow the candidates, Feuz, and assistant general manager, Babett Peter, conducted preliminary interviews and used their vast network of contacts in and around the soccer world to find candidates that would fit the team culture and the tactical philosophy of the club. The final candidates had in depth interviews with Feuz and Peter, as well as with club president, Karen Leetzow, and executive chairperson, Laura Ricketts.
“To get the opportunity to lead the Chicago Stars in the NWSL is something that I really look forward to,” said Sjögren. “I have got a very good impression of the owners and people working in the club. The future plans of the club that have been presented match my own ambition in building a sustainable and successful organization over time. I see lots of good opportunities to build something really interesting with the Stars. I look forward to arriving in Chicago to meet everyone and start work.”
Sjörgen led Linköping FC to a Swedish title in 2016 before taking over as the Norwegian Women’s National Team coach in 2017. He also coached the team at the 2019 Women’s World Cup where they reach the quarterfinals and continued until after Euro Women’s 2022. He is now the coach of Hammarby where they currently sit second in the league.
Masar has worked with Sjörgen and Jacobson before and played against them while she was at FC Rosengård.
“Martin has been someone I’ve known and highly respected for almost 10 years,” said Masar. “Both him and Anders have been enthusiastically devoted to the women’s game for many years and helped support its growth. Chicago is in good hands moving forward and I look forward to his arrival.”
The Stars’ next match is Monday against Seattle Reign at Lumen Field at 9:1tpm CT on both CBS Sports Network and Fox Chicago + (WPWR-TV Ch. 50).
