Los Angeles, Calif. – Los Angeles FC (LAFC) confirmed Sunday night that head coach Marc Dos Santos has been dismissed. General manager John Thorrington, who selected Dos Santos as Steve Cherundolo’s successor nine months ago, issued a statement thanking the coach for his years of service to the club.
Team performance under Dos Santos
Since taking the helm, Dos Santos guided a roster featuring international stars Son Heung‑min and Denis Bouanga. However, the club has underperformed, sitting sixth in the Western Conference with an 11‑9‑8 record and winning only one of its last nine matches across all competitions.
Fans have expressed frustration with what they describe as static tactics and substitution patterns, and the team has faced boos at home games. The decision to part ways came after a 1‑0 loss to FC Dallas on Saturday, which left LAFC with a 1‑4‑5 mark in MLS matches since early July.
Coaching history and future outlook
Dos Santos was only the third head coach in LAFC’s brief history, which began as an MLS expansion franchise in 2018. His predecessor, Bob Bradley, built a contender during four seasons at the venue now known as BMO Stadium, while Steve Cherundolo captured the 2022 MLS Cup and the 2024 U.S. Open Cup before stepping down last year.
Thorrington has not yet announced a replacement, but the club will look to stabilize its performance as the season winds down. LAFC’s next match is scheduled for October 10 against the Vancouver Whitecaps, with six games remaining in the regular season.
Early highlights and recent setbacks
Dos Santos’ tenure began positively with a 3‑0 victory over defending champion Inter Miami in front of 75,673 fans at the Coliseum. Yet the team has struggled to maintain momentum in the conference race and was eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions League in May.
With the coaching change, LAFC aims to refocus its strategy and capitalize on the talent it has assembled. The organization remains committed to delivering an exciting product for its passionate fan base and to competing for a playoff spot in the final weeks of the season.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
