FC Cincinnati General Manager Gerard Nijkamp has announced the official hiring of long-time Dutch football manager Ron Jans (pronounced YAHNS) as the club’s new head coach.
Jans will be formally introduced at a 10 a.m. press conference today, at the Mercy Health Training Center in Milford, Ohio. He will oversee his first FC Cincinnati training session on Tuesday, Aug. 6, and will coach his first FCC game on Saturday, Aug. 10 at Columbus.
“We are excited to get Ron involved with the team as soon as possible and leading us the rest of the season,” Nijkamp said. “He has a pedigree of success and guiding strong clubs, especially through difficult transitions to championships.
“With his experience and expertise in all aspects of being a head coach, I have full confidence that he will be successful at FC Cincinnati. I believe Ron will be a critical part to establishing the foundation for our playing philosophy as well as our performance on the pitch,” Nijkamp said.
Jans is the third head coach in the club’s brief MLS history and its fourth overall, including its United Soccer League seasons (2016-18). He has signed a managerial contract through Dec. 31, 2020.
“I’m very appreciative of Gerard, Jeff Berding and the club’s ownership group for their confidence in bringing me to FC Cincinnati,” Jans said. “This club has drawn a lot of attention in Europe and football fans are very interested in the progress of the club, which is why this opportunity is so exciting. My challenge is realizing our immense potential and I am really looking forward of being part of that development and making the fans even prouder to support FC Cincinnati.”
JANS’ COACHING STAFF
Damet
Yoann Damet, who has served as the club’s interim head coach since former head coach Alan Koch’s dismissal on May 7, is remaining on staff as Jans’ top assistant coach. After becoming the youngest coach in MLS history, Damet finished his brief tenure as the club’s caretaker coach with a 3-10-0 record in league play and a 4-11-0 mark overall including U.S. Open Cup play.
“As a club, we also have to give a big recognition and thank you to Yoann for all the work he has done as our caretaker coach the last few months,” Nijkamp added. “He did not come into an easy role and he had a lot of work to do to create a way of playing and cultivating positivity. We’ve been very happy with all of his efforts and the hard work he’s done in the interim to get us going in the right direction.
“Yoann has laid the foundation for our playing philosophy and getting our whole club going in the same path. He has a very strong soccer mind and we look forward to him continuing his work for us and further developing his managerial methods under Ron’s guidance,” Nijkamp added.
Additionally, Jack Stern will continue with the club on Jans’ staff in his current role as goalkeeping coach.
Both Damet and Stern have signed contract extensions to remain with the club through Dec. 31, 2022.
Joining Damet and Stern on Jans’ coaching staff is new FCC assistant Ivar van Dinteren. He will formally join the staff in Cincinnati upon receipt of his U.S. work visa.
FC Cincinnati
