LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Less than two years after taking over as head coach, Racing Louisville and Kim Björkegren have agreed to “mutually” part ways according to a release from the club. 

In the release, Björkegren said, “I want to say thank you for two great years. It has been a lot of hard work, but I’m now happy to leave the club in a better position from when I came to Louisville. I want to say a special thanks to the owners, especially John Neace and his family, and thanks to the president James O’Connor, the staff and, of course, to the players. Thanks to the fans and to all the people who make Racing and Louisville a great place. After many years abroad, it’s now time to go back home to Sweden with my family.”

The team says Björkegren is returning to Europe to pursue other opportunities. Racing General manager, Ryan Dell, will begin a global search for the team’s next coach.

We appreciate all that Kim did for us here at Racing,” said John Neace, chairman of Soccer Holdings, the parent company of Racing Louisville. “The team showed continued improvement under his leadership. We wish him the very best in his next position.”

Björkegren was Racing’s second head coach, taking over the club in Dec. 2021. The team’s first coach, Christy Holly, was fired for cause in 2021. Racing Louisville didn’t publicly give a reason, but an investigation by the U.S. Soccer Federation uncovered alleged abuse by Holly.

Racing finished with 27 points in 2023 and ended in ninth place in the National Women’s Soccer League standings. There are 12 teams in the NWSL.

The team is without a coach at a critical time. Free agents may sign with new teams beginning Nov. 20 and the expansion draft and NWSL draft take place this winter.

“We firmly believe we have the pieces in place to become a perennial playoff team in the NWSL,” Dell said. “Our search is centered on finding a head coach to elevate our team to that next level.”