JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Sporting Club Jacksonville, the United Soccer League’s (USL) newest franchise in Northeast Florida, named Mark Warburton as the club’s first Sporting Director and Head of Soccer on Thursday. Warburton, a former English Premier League first-team coach and top-level Academy Director, brings a wealth of experience to the role.
Warburton will oversee all technical aspects of Sporting JAX’s professional and pre-professional soccer teams, including the women’s USL Super League and men’s USL Championship teams. He will also lead the development of a new professional soccer academy, aiming to provide elite coaching and development opportunities for young players across Northeast Florida.
Warburton expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating, “Joining Sporting JAX at this pivotal moment is an exceptional opportunity. The club’s ambitious vision and commitment to elevating soccer in this community made the decision an easy one.”
Warburton’s career is marked by notable achievements, including guiding West Ham United to victory in the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2023. His extensive experience includes roles at prestigious clubs such as Nottingham Forest FC, Brentford FC, Queens Park Rangers FC, and Glasgow Rangers FC.
One of Warburton’s immediate priorities will be collaborating with Sporting JAX technical consultant Becky Burleigh to recruit top-tier coaching staff for the USL Super League pro women’s team, which begins its inaugural season at UNF’s Hodges Stadium in August. He will also work closely with Florida Elite Soccer Academy to elevate its status as a leading youth soccer program in the U.S.
With Warburton’s leadership, Sporting JAX aims to set new benchmarks for soccer success. Season tickets for the USL Super League inaugural season are available at www.sportingjax.com/tickets.
