December 20, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Los Angeles FC News Release
The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) announced today that the Club has signed head coach Steve Cherundolo to a multi-year contract extension. Entering his third season at LAFC, Cherundolo’s staff of assistant coaches Ante Razov, Marc dos Santos and Oka Nikolov will also return after signing contract extensions. Enrique Duran, who served as head coach of LAFC2 in 2023, moves to a new role as an assistant coach with the first team.
“In two years with LAFC, Steve has proven to be one of the top coaches in our league,” LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington said. “When we hired Steve, we were confident that his leadership qualities and unique blend of international and domestic experience would be the perfect fit for LAFC, and he has more than delivered on our high expectations. I am also thrilled to reward the great work of the technical staff and continue to work with Ante, Mark and Oka in 2024 and beyond. We are also excited to have Enrique work with the first team as an assistant coach after contributing so much to this Club as a coach at all levels, including LAFC2 last season.”
Cherundolo, 44, has led LAFC to unprecedented success in his first two seasons at the helm of the Black & Gold, becoming the only manager in league history to win the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup in his first season as head coach in 2022. He followed that by reaching the final of the Concacaf Champions League and MLS Cup in his second season in 2023 – becoming the only MLS coach to reach both finals in the same calendar year – and just the third coach in MLS history to lead a team to the the MLS Cup final in their first two seasons as head coach. Cherundolo led LAFC through an unprecedented 2023 season, coaching an MLS record 53 matches in all competitions.
“I am excited to continue our journey together after two emotional, invigorating and successful years,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said. “I am proud and grateful to share the sideline again with an incredible coaching staff. I would also like to thank John, his staff and the owners for their tireless work and support for our team. Together with our phenomenal fans, we remain hungry and prepared for more.”
Cherundolo owns a 35-19-14 record in the MLS regular season, and a 6-1-1 record in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
The San Diego native earned the prestigious UEFA Pro License in 2020 after ending a distinguished playing career that saw…
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