FC Cincinnati have relieved Alan Koch of his duties as the club’s head coach.
Koch (provided photos)
“After a series of recent issues and a team culture that had deteriorated, we determined that it’s time to make a change to return a club-centered focus to the team,” FC Cincinnati President and General Manager Jeff Berding said. “This decision is not driven by recent game results themselves, but rather the underpinnings that have led to those results. We have not come close to maximizing the talent we have in the dressing room this year, nor have we seen a foundation being built that will set us up for success this year and into next year.
“Our whole locker room is committed to our club goal of earning an MLS postseason bid, and we need to put them in the best position to do so.
While an international search has begun for the club’s next head coach, assistant coach Yoann Damet, will serve in the role of interim head coach. Damet, 29, joined FC Cincinnati in March 2017 from the Montreal Impact organization, and has served as the team’s top assistant coach since.
Damet
“I am confident that Yoann will immediately infuse the locker room and soccer staff with a positive energy and team approach,” Berding added. “He is respected and trusted and will lead the hard work that gets the best out of our players.”
Koch went 2-7-2 as head coach of FC Cincinnati’s MLS team in 2019, as the team has scored a league-low 8 goals through 11 games. After originally joining the team in December 2016 as a director of scouting and analytics and assistant coach, he was promoted to head coach in February 2017.
As the club’s second head coach in the USL franchise, Koch went 35-13-18 in USL regular-season games, advancing to the playoffs both seasons.
After winning the 2018 USL Regular-Season Championship with a league-record 23-3-8 mark, FCC failed to advance past the conference semifinal.
Berding issued the following statement to FC Cincinnati fans:
Berding
“Our message is that we have high ambition for this city. There’s nothing that matters to me more than winning trophies for this city. We are a championship city. All of us who live here, who love Cincinnati, know this is a great city.
“I’m committed to having FC Cincinnati take that challenge, seize that mantle and show the rest of the world, what a great city this is.
“In sports, you win trophies and people respect that is a winning city, a championship city.
“I have friends in Cleveland and I know they all view themselves differently after LeBron (James) helped them win an NBA championship. I am committed with nothing else more important than winning a championship for this city.”
Koch also guided the Orange and Blue to the semifinals of the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – including two wins over MLS franchises in the fourth round and the round of 16– while finishing sixth in the USL’s Eastern Conference with a 12-10-10 regular-season mark.
“We appreciate Alan’s contributions to FC Cincinnati in the United Soccer League and wish him well,” Berding said.
The Orange and Blue will be back in action on Saturday, when the club returns to Nippert Stadium to host the Montreal Impact. The
For up-to-the-minute information about FC Cincinnati, visit the team’s official website.
FC Cincinnati
