On Wednesday the Montreal Impact named former Chicago Fire boss Frank Klopas as the Canadian sides new head coach.
Klopas, 47, has signed a three-year deal to lead the Impact after Swiss coach Marco Schällibaum has been shown the door after just one season in charge by eccentric Montreal owner Joey Saputo.
The appointment comes after Klopas broke his long-standing relationship with the Fire, following a disappointing season last year when the Illinois club failed to make the 2013 MLS postseason. Klopas had originally joined the Fire as a technical director but was thrust into an interim role as head coach when Carlos de los Cobos was fired in 2011 and then took the job permanently.
Klopas’ appointment continues the theme of the last year or so, as plenty of ex-MLS coaches and players are finding jobs in charge of MLS sides. The former Chicago Fire and USMNT forward, who helped the Fire win an MLS Cup an Open Cup during their inaugural season, will be well used to the rigors and ways of MLS management and is a good fit for Montreal.
Some believed Schällibaum should’ve been given another season to prove his worth after the Impact started last season off superbly and were top of the Eastern Conference for most of the early months of the campaign before dropping off badly and being knocked out in the first round of the playoffs.
In addition, the club announced that Mauro Biello (assistant coach), Youssef Dahha (goalkeeper coach) and Paolo Pacione (fitness coach) will all remain part of the coaching staff.
Seems like Montreal owner Saputo is going for substance over style by appointing Klopas, but one thing is for sure, this man knows MLS inside out and will be planning to bring plenty of success to Quebec.