The report says Sjögren leaves before completing a full season in charge after arriving in August 2025. It also says Chicago’s return under him was:
That kind of record usually leaves little room for patience, especially in a league where parity can keep playoff hopes alive for longer than expected. When a team is bottom with that profile, the issue is rarely just results on one weekend; it points to a side that has not built consistency at either end of the pitch.
The update says Báez, already on staff for the past three seasons, will lead the team through the remainder of 2026. That matters. Chicago are not turning to a total outsider in midstream; they are turning to someone who already knows the squad, the daily environment and the league’s demands.
Her background in Liga MX Femenil also suggests experience in player development and dressing-room management, two areas that become crucial when a season has slipped.
This reportedly goes beyond one dugout change. The update says Lorne Donaldson is returning in an interim technical leadership role, while Nicole Lukic is joining the coaching staff full-time with an emphasis on individual development.
That points to a broader diagnosis: Chicago do not appear to see this as a one-person problem. They appear to be rebuilding process, structure and support around the squad.
The next question is simple: can Báez steady performances quickly enough to give Chicago a platform for the offseason? Even if the table is unforgiving, the rest of 2026 now looks like an extended assessment of who should shape the club’s next chapter.