HOWELL, N.J. – You can remove the interim title from Freya Coombe’s position.

She is now head coach of Sky Blue FC, the National Women’s Soccer League team announced Tuesday.

Coombe, who joined the club in September, will direct the team next year in its first season at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.

She most recently served as the director of scouting and as Development Academy coach for the New York Soccer Club.

“I’m extremely humbled and grateful to management, ownership, the players, and the Sky Blue family for giving me the opportunity to be the head coach of this energized club.” Coombe said in a statement. “We laid a strong foundation for success last year, and we’re already working diligently this offseason to help the organization take the next step.”

Coombe played five years at Reading FC in England, a club that is now a part of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League. She also coached at the club for seven years, serving as the director of coaching for the Reading FC Centre of Excellence and as the women’s development team manager for Reading FC Women. She holds USSF B and UEFA B licenses and anticipates receiving her USSF A license this year.

“Freya is extremely talented and her passion for soccer is infectious,” Sky Blue FC owner representative Tammy Murphy said in a statement. “Freya, Alyse, and I work extremely well together, and Freya’s undeniable work ethic made our decision easy. She earned the trust and respect of our players quickly last season, and her steady leadership will provide consistency as we relocate to Red Bull Arena.”

Added Sky Blue general manager Alyse LaHue: “We are thrilled to continue the work we began with Freya this past season as this club continues to progress and push forward. She is the embodiment of the culture we’re striving to develop, and I’m excited to have her back as we build a new future for Sky Blue.”

Coombe is expected to make further staffing and player announcements soon.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.