ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced on Thursday the club had appointed Nicky Law as Head Coach through the end of the 2023 USL Championship season. Law will take the reins for the Rowdies starting with Saturday’s match at Al Lang Stadium versus FC Tulsa.

Law is no stranger to the Rowdies, having spent the 2022 season with the club as a player.

“I know firsthand the standard that has been set at this club, and I am so excited to have the opportunity to build upon that for the remainder of the season,” said Law. “I’m grateful for the chance I’ve been given here by our ownership. My primary goal is to provide guidance and direction to this extremely talented group of players. We have all the tools to get where we want to be come the end of the year.” 

The 35-year-old Englishman departed the Rowdies in the offseason to assume a dual player and assistant coach role for Huntsville City FC in MLS Next Pro. Law will now take the plunge into full-time coaching with the Rowdies.

“I absolutely loved my time here as a player and am so delighted to return in this new role,” said Law. “The connection I made with the fans, staff, and players when I was here made it a really difficult decision for me and my family to leave at the end of last season. I left the organization to pursue coaching, and I couldn’t be happier that my path as a coach has brought me back to the Rowdies.”

Born in Plymouth, England, Law developed as a player through the academy system of Sheffield United, where he made his Premier League debut as a teenager in 2006. Following Sheffield United, Law moved on to playing stints at Bradford City, Rotherham United, Motherwell FC, Rangers FC, and Exeter City. During his 15-year career as a midfielder in England and Scotland, Law made over 500 appearances while notching 76 goals and 111 assists.

In 2021, Law made the move stateside to USL Championship side Indy Eleven with the intent of eventually shifting his focus to coaching. The Rowdies acquired Law from Indy via transfer midway through the 2022 season and he went on to tally two goals in 15 appearances for the club, including a thunderous strike to clinch a victory over Miami FC in the opening round of the playoffs.

“We are excited to welcome back former player Nicky Law as the Tampa Bay Rowdies head coach,” said Rowdies Vice Chairman Matt Silverman. “His proven commitment and understanding of the Rowdies values will undoubtedly resonate with our players, fans, and staff.”

Law will look to lead the Rowdies to their fifth straight playoff appearance as he takes charge with 14 matches remaining in the regular season. Tampa Bay sits third in the Eastern Conference standings heading into Saturday’s matchup versus FC Tulsa, three points back of current leaders, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.