Montreal Roses fire head coach Robert Rositoiu

Maryse Bard-Martel named interim head coach, will oversee Sunday's game against AFC Toronto

The day after the Montreal Roses were eliminated from the W Canadian Championship, the club announced it was firing its inaugural head coach, Robert Rositoiu.

The club's sporting director, Marinette Pichon, announced the move in a news release Thursday morning. In it, she thanked Rositoiu for laying the groundwork for the professional women's soccer club while it was still in its infancy.

"Parting ways with a coach is always a heart-wrenching decision, and this one was made with deep respect for the man and the professional he is," the statement reads.

"However, we are convinced that a fresh impetus is needed to tackle the remainder of the season and take the next step in the club's development."

The Roses currently hold a second-place standing in the Northern Super League (NSL), with 27 points. There are 10 matches left in their regular season.

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Rositoiu was named head coach in September 2024 ahead of the Roses' inaugural season in the NSL in 2025.

Pichon says Maryse Bard-Martel will serve as interim head coach while the club works on choosing a permanent replacement for Rositoiu. Bard-Martel was the team's first assistant coach and head of goalkeeping.

Bard-Martel will oversee Sunday's game against AFC Toronto.