LOS ANGELES (AP) — Marc dos Santos has been named head coach of Los Angeles FC.
Steve Celandro, a longtime assistant to the outgoing coach, was promoted Friday by general manager John Thorrington.
Dos Santos, former coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps, becomes the third coach in LAFC history. He spent the past four seasons on Cerundolo’s staff as LAFC won the 2022 MLS Cup and Supporters Shield, reached the 2023 MLS Cup Final and won the 2024 U.S. Open Cup.
“Marc understands as well as anyone what the best version of LAFC looks like: an entertaining, front-footed style of play built on ambition, intensity and a collaborative culture that reflects who we are as a club,” Torrington said. “He has earned the trust and belief of all of our players. From our up-and-coming young players to our most experienced stars, support for Marc’s appointment is unanimous.”
LAFC finished Cerundolo’s final season in third place in the Western Conference standings and has since enjoyed a strong rise. Acquired Son Heung-min mid-season. However, the season came to a heartbreaking end last month when the Whitecaps were reduced to 10 men in the conference semifinals, losing in a penalty shootout to Vancouver after failing to score the winning goal in overtime.
Cerundolo announces his retirement in the near future Last April, after four seasons, the longtime Hannover captain and U.S. national team defender announced his desire to move his wife and children back to his native Germany.
Dos Santos is a 48-year-old Canadian who joined LAFC’s inaugural coaching staff under Bob Bradley in 2018. He took the coaching job in Vancouver in November 2018 and stayed with the team until August 2021, compiling a record of 22 wins, 39 losses, and 20 draws, but failing to make the playoffs.
However, Torrington chose to promote from within the organization for his second straight coaching position since Bradley’s departure. Cerundro is Torrington’s longtime friend and a former teammate who ran LAFC’s USL affiliate before taking the top job.
“This is a special club,” dos Santos said. “You feel it the moment you walk into our training facility and stadium, when you meet the people who work here and see the passion of everyone involved. The ambition here is evident in the way we approach every day and the standards we set for ourselves. My focus now is to build on the strong foundation and culture that is already in place.”
Dos Santos, a Montreal native, also spent two seasons coaching professionally in Brazil.
He inherits a team built around the dynamic attacking duo of Son and MLS star Dennis Bouanga in front of veteran French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, but will likely need personnel upgrades in other positions to compete with MLS’s best players.
Dos Santos’ debut game will take place on February 21st at the Los Angeles Coliseum, where LAFC will host Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.
“Mark has been a part of LAFC’s great culture for a long time, and his presence brings all the positives of that continuity,” LAFC owner Bennett Rosenthal said. “He also brings fresh ideas and new approaches that continue to improve standards for Black and Gold people.”
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