FC Cincinnati part ways with head coach Jaap Stam

FC Cincinnati have relieved Jaap Stam from his duties as head coach effective immediately, the club announced Monday morning. 

Tyrone Marshall, head coach of the club’s Under-19 academy team and future U23 side, will take over as interim manager as the search for a new leader is already underway. 

The Dutch manager first joined the team in May 2020 from Eredivisie side Feyenoord, under the pretenses that he would welcome in a new phase for the mediocre Major League Soccer side.

The team finished in last place during his first season in charge, and has managed only four victories in 2021.

Stam’s departure comes almost two months after FC Cincinnati parted ways with general manager Gerard Nijkamp in early August. 

“During our nearly two-month process to identify the next general manager for FC Cincinnati, it was apparent that a head coach change was necessary. Therefore, after a great deal of deliberation, the club has made the decision to now move to the future with Jaap no longer serving as head coach.” FC Cincinnati president Jeff Berding said in a release.

“We believe a change in leadership is in the best interest of the club at this time, and a new general manager will lead the search for a new head coach. We are an ambitious club and we remain focused on achieving our goals, the first of which is making Cincinnati a championship city. We thank Jaap for everything he has done for FC Cincinnati during his time here, and we wish him the best as he can now head home to be with his family.”

The club has also decided to dismiss assistant coach Said Bakkati, who came with Stam in 2020, and Yoann Damet.

Cincinnati have lost six of their last seven games, falling into a downward spiral and landing in 13th place on the Eastern Conference table with 20 points in 25 matches.

The team’s management have faith Marshall can end the season on a high note. 

“Tyrone has been a valuable addition to our coaching staff since he arrived earlier this year with plan to be the future coach of our MLS2 team,” said Berding. “He has shown his coaching ability and leadership qualities, and he is the right person to inject new energy into the locker room and help our squad finish 2021 strong with an eye to the future.”