CF Montreal hire Hernan Losada as new head coach
By Chris Smith
CF Montreal have officially announced Hernan Losada as their new head coach.
Losada has been in search of a new job since leaving fellow MLS outfit DC United in April, managing just 17 wins from 41 games in charge and departing with the club bottom of the overall standings.
The 40-year-old Argentine replaces the highly popular Wilfried Nancy, who recently left Montreal to take over from Caleb Porter at the Columbus Crew. Losada's job will now be to steady the ship as Montreal overhaul their roster after finishing second in the Eastern Conference in 2022, while also bringing his trademark, high-energy style of play.
“We were looking for a coach who could continue the sporting project we have been building since my arrival in 2020 and we are convinced that Hernán checks all the boxes at this level,” CF Montreal vice president and chief sporting officer Olivier Renard said in a club press release.
“With the philosophy put forward at the club over the past few years, both on and off the field, we are very pleased with our choice.”
Prior to arriving in Major League Soccer, Losada's only senior coaching job was with Belgian side Beerschot, who he helped reach the top flight in 2020 having represented the club twice during his playing career.
Montreal recently lost key players such as Djordje Mihailovic (AZ Alkmaar), Alistair Johnston (Celtic), and Ismael Kone (Watford), but have already started strengthening with the signings of defenders George Campbell and Aaron Herrera from Atlanta United and Real Salt Lake, respectively.
“It is with great excitement, motivation, and gratitude that I approach this new opportunity. I am eager to put all my energy, enthusiasm, and abilities into this great project,“ Losada said.
He added: “It is even more special to be able to join a group composed of people with extensive experience like Olivier [Renard], Gabriel [Gervais], and Vassili [Cremanzidis], who have built, with the participation of the entire club, an identity and a work philosophy focused on youth development, offering them opportunities for growth both on and off the field.
“My mission is to continue in this same direction, offering an offensive and positive style of play while creating an energizing work environment to continue growing together and reach our goals.”
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