Bev Priestman is excited about returning to coaching on Saturday with Wellington Phoenix and drawing a line under a spying scandal that saw her sacked as Canada manager.

The 39-year-old Englishwoman, who led Canada to Olympic gold in 2021, completed a one-year FIFA ban from football-related activity this year for her role in flying a drone over a closed New Zealand training session at last year's Summer Games.

Priestman will coach her first A-League Women match with Phoenix in their season-opener at home against Canberra United on Saturday.

She told New Zealand media she had been in a dark place for much of her ban, with people harassing her at her home.

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