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Rob Gale

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Rob Gale
Gale with the Portland Thorns in 2024
Personal information
Full name Robert Peter Tabo Gale
Date of birth (1977-08-03) 3 August 1977 (age 47)
Place of birth Zambia
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1991–1994 Fulham
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001 Winnipeg Alliance
2002–2008 Winnipeg Lucania
2009–2012 Sons of Italy
Managerial career
2010–2013 Canada U17 (assistant)
2011–2013 Canada U16
2012–2015 Canada U18
2014–2018 Canada U20
2018–2021 Valour FC
2023–2024 Portland Thorns FC (assistant)
2024– Portland Thorns FC
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Robert Peter Tabo Gale (born 3 August 1977) is an English former professional footballer and coach. He serves as the head coach for Portland Thorns FC in the American National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).[1][2][3]

As a player, Gale began his career in England with Fulham before taking a break to focus on his coaching qualifications. He later appeared for Canadian clubs Winnipeg Alliance, Winnipeg Lucania and Sons of Italy. Gale has also coached the Canada national team from Under-16 to Under-20, and became the first head coach and general manager of Valour FC in June 2018. On 23 September 2021, the club announced that Gale would be relieved of his duties.[4] He then served as a coach with New York City FC's academy.[5]

Playing career

[edit]

Gale was signed by Football League Third Division club Fulham as an associate schoolboy aged 14.[6] After moving to Bedfordshire to study at university, he trained with Football League Second Division side Wycombe Wanderers for a year.[7]

After an injury ruled Gale out for a full season and he graduated from university, he turned his attention to coaching and earned qualifications in England and the United States.[7] Upon moving to Canada in 2001, Gale resumed his playing career and was named captain of indoor professional club the Winnipeg Alliance. He later played for Winnipeg Lucania and the Sons of Italy before retiring in 2012.[6]

Coaching career

[edit]

Early career

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Initially working as a director for summer camps across the United States and the Ian Rush Finishing Schools, Gale became the director of soccer at Spencer High School in Iowa in 2001. After two years, he became director for a North American academy run by Fulham, and later became the Canada national director for Charlton Athletic's sports academy.

Canada Soccer

[edit]

In 2006, Gale was named technical director for the Manitoba Soccer Association.[8] In 2010, he became assistant coach for the Canada U17 men's national team and saw the team qualify for successive FIFA Under-17 World Cup tournaments.[9] In 2011, he came up against brother-in-law John Peacock, who was managing the England U17 national team.[8] Later that year, he was named head coach for the Canada U16 men's national team, and in 2012 and became head coach of the Canada U18 men's national team.[9]

In March 2014, Gale took over as the head coach of the Canada U20 men's national team.[10]

Valour FC

[edit]

On 26 June 2018, Gale was announced as the first head coach and general manager of Canadian Premier League club Valour FC.[11] He was relieved from his duties on 23 September 2021.[12]

Portland Thorns FC

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On 23 March 2023, Portland Thorns FC appointed Gale as an assistant coach under head coach Mike Norris.[1] In April 2024, the Thorns named Gale interim head coach following Norris's promotion to technical director of the Thorns.[2] On 19 July 2024, the Thorns appointed Gale as the permanent head coach after winning eight of his twelve games as interim coach.[3]

The Thorns proceeded to win only two of the following ten regular season matches after Gale's permanent appointment, losing seven of them, to finish tied with the club's lowest league finish at sixth place.[13][14] The club qualified for the NWSL playoffs but were eliminated in the first round by NJ/NY Gotham FC.[15] The Thorns also finished second in Group B of the 2024-25 CONCACAF W Champions Cup group stage under Gale and qualified for the semifinals.[16]

Personal life

[edit]

Gale was born in Zambia to English parents while his father was working as a football coach. He also spent part of his childhood growing up in Tanzania before moving to England aged five.[7] Living in Horley, Surrey, he attended Oakwood School and Reigate College before studying media production and broadcast journalism at the University of Luton.[17]

In 2000, Gale visited Winnipeg, Manitoba for work and met his future wife Erin. After moving to Winnipeg permanently a year later, Gale and his partner married in 2003 and now have two daughters.[18] Five members of his family have UEFA coaching licences, including brother-in-law John Peacock.[7]

He is a lifelong Arsenal supporter.[7]

Managerial statistics

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As of 10 November 2024
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
P W D L GF GA GD Win %
Valour FC 26 June 2018 23 September 2021 57 18 8 31 62 84 −22 031.58
Portland Thorns FC 16 April 2024 Present 34 15 4 15 58 45 +13 044.12
Total 91 33 12 46 129 129 +0 036.26

References

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  1. ^ a b Clarke, Ryan (23 February 2023). "Portland Thorns hire Rob Gale, Katie Quinlan as assistant coaches under Mike Norris". The Oregonian. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  2. ^ a b Linehan, Meg (16 April 2024). "Portland Thorns promote Mike Norris to technical director, name Rob Gale interim head coach". The Athletic. The New York Times. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  3. ^ a b Kassouf, Jeff (19 July 2024). "Portland Thorns name Rob Gale as head coach". ESPN. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  4. ^ Jaques, John (23 September 2021). "Valour FC Fires Rob Gale, Names Phillip Dos Santos As New Head Coach". Northern Tribune. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  5. ^ "Former CPL Coach Rob Gale Joins New York City FC Academy". Northern Tribune. 27 August 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  6. ^ a b Tait, Ed (26 June 2018). "Rob Gale named inaugural Head Coach & GM". Valour Football Club. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  7. ^ a b c d e Tait, Ed (26 June 2018). "Meet the Coach: Rob Gale". valourfc.canpl.ca. Valour Football Club. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  8. ^ a b "In Focus: Robert Gale". www.canadasoccer.com. Canada Soccer. 2 March 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  9. ^ a b "Rob Gale". canadasoccer.com. Canada Soccer. 14 July 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  10. ^ "Rob Gale appointed Canada's Men's U-20 Team Head Coach". Canada Soccer. 31 March 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  11. ^ Davidson, Neil (26 June 2018). "Rob Gale named first coach and GM of Valour FC, Winnipeg's new CPL entry". Times Colonist. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  12. ^ Thompson, Sam; Hobson, Russ (23 September 2021). "Rob Gale out as Valour FC coach immediately, team announces". Global News. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  13. ^ Baudhuin, Leo (7 November 2024). "The Thorns Get to Start Fresh in the Playoffs". Willamette Week. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  14. ^ Newman, Blair (9 October 2024). "How the desire for continuity backfired on the Portland Thorns". The Equalizer. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  15. ^ Alger, Tyson (10 November 2024). "Portland Thorns' season and club legend's career end with playoff loss to Gotham FC". The Oregonian. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  16. ^ "2024/25 Concacaf W Champions Cup Semifinals confirmed" (Press release). Concacaf. 18 October 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  17. ^ Davidson, Neil (26 June 2018). "Rob Gale named first coach, general manager of Valour FC". The Globe And Mail. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  18. ^ "Winnipeg's new soccer club names Rob Gale as head coach and GM". CBC News. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
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