Pedro Martinez Losa appointed as new Scotland Women's head coach

The Scottish FA have announced that Pedro Martinez Losa has been appointed ans the new manager of the women’s national team.

Martinez Losa has signed a three-year-deal to become the successor to Shelley Kerr, who left the role late last year. The 45-year-old Spaniard will take up his new position in August.

The manager’s last job was as boss off FC Griondins de Bordeaux women, where he took the team to the Champions League for the first time after securing a third-place finish in D1 Féminine.

Prior to his time in France, Martinez Losa was head coach at Arsenal for three seasons, where he coached Scotland players Caroline Weir, Christie Murray, Kim Little, Lisa Evans and Emma Mitchell, and was also director of football at London City Lionesses. He has also coached in the United States and won La Liga on three occasions with Rayo Vallecano Feminina.

The Spaniard will now look to restore the national team’s fortunes after failing to reach Euro 2022. His first game in charge will be against Hungary on September 17 in the World Cup qualifiers.

It has been a long-held ambition of mine to coach a women’s national team so today represents a tremendous honour for me as I take charge of Scotland.

“I have admired from afar in recent years, watching a talented group of players take their nation to two back-to-back major championships and it’s now my job to ensure the team return to that stage,” Martinez Losa said on his appointment.

“Scotland have an abundance of international talent alongside a well balanced mix of youth and experience throughout the squad, which was one of the main aspects which attracted me to the job.

“I want to achieve success on the pitch to inspire the next generation of female players in this country. I understand women’s football is growing rapidly in Scotland and I want to spearhead that with victories on the pitch.

“There is a promising journey ahead for the team and I can’t wait to get started ahead of the matches against Hungary and Faroe Islands.”

Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell said: “Pedro’s CV is extremely impressive and following an extensive recruitment process, his experience of women’s football across the globe set him apart from the field.

“In a coaching career spanning more than 20 years, Pedro has succeeded in Spain, the United States, England and France and joins the Scottish FA with a set of attributes which will allow Scotland to fulfil their enormous potential.

“With the new women’s and girls’ strategy set to be released later this week, Pedro’s appointment will re-energise the game in Scotland and ensure it returns to the forefront of people’s minds ahead of an exciting qualification campaign where we aim to again grace the biggest stage in women’s football at the FIFA World Cup.”