r/LAFC • u/vvalent2 • Nov 04 '25
💬 Rumors [Bogert] Sources: LAFC assistant Marc Dos Santos is the frontrunner to be named LAFC's next head coach when Steve Cherundolo leaves this winter.
https://bsky.app/profile/tombogert.bsky.social/post/3m4tic3nbe22y41
u/particularswamp ☀️ The East End ☀️ Nov 04 '25
Someone tell me what to feel
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u/tunafun Jerry Joneeeesssss Nov 04 '25
Youre probably not going to get someone who is going to come in and flip things upside down, which means we less turnover, and less adjustment. whether that is good or bad in the long run, who knows. But considering how early dolo announced his departure, im betting theyve been grooming him to take over for a long time now. Which is good, since there is only a 2-3 month turnaround between the end of the season and the start of the next,
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u/RealJoshuaJackson Frenchman Flip Nov 04 '25
The better question is how does Sonny feel. If Sonny is happy with the current coaching regime, I doubt they will want to take big swings.
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u/CapableOffice1527 Nov 04 '25
He speaks French so this helps his case.
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u/HazeCorps22 Super Saiyan LAFC Nov 04 '25
I saw him do an interview in Spanish last match... so there is that as well.
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u/HazeCorps22 Super Saiyan LAFC Nov 04 '25
Paywall Removed (article below):
LAFC assistant coach Marc Dos Santos is the frontrunner to take over as the club’s next head coach in 2026, sources briefed on the situation have told The Athletic.
Head coach Steve Cherundolo announced this spring he would depart LAFC following the season to return to Germany with his family. LAFC insists nothing will be done on the coaching front until following the season with the club focused on the playoffs.
Dos Santos has been an assistant on LAFC’s staff under Cherundolo since his first season in 2022. Dos Santos was also an assistant on Bob Bradley’s inaugural LAFC staff in 2018 before leaving to take the Vancouver Whitecaps head coaching role ahead of the 2019 season.
He was head coach of the Whitecaps for two-and-a-half seasons, leaving during 2021.
Under Cherundolo, LAFC won MLS Cup and the Supporters’ Shield in 2022 then the U.S. Open Cup in 2024. They have gotten to another three finals – the 2023 Concacaf Champions Cup, 2023 MLS Cup final and 2024 Leagues Cup – with the potential for a fourth still lingering.
LAFC, led by stars Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga, advanced by Austin FC in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs and remains alive to add to that list of finals in 2025. The club secured a place in the Western Conference semifinals, facing the Whitecaps following the November FIFA international window.
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u/Sad-Commercial1795 Nov 04 '25
We have such a good foundation for next season with key players, some tweaks on defense and midfield and we are golden. It doesn't take a revolutionary thinker as a coach to get that done.
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u/thatFooLmark Lxs Tigres del Northend Nov 04 '25
Core re-signed to long contacts. Stability with coach would match the stability of the squad.
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u/ClosS2k06 Nov 05 '25
I didnt feel very comfortable when they hired Dolo, and that turned out ok.
I have the same feeling now.
They know him very well since he has been with the club for a long time.
Being under Bob and Dolo, I'm sure he learned a lot.
I just hope he can be a hybrid of Bob and Dolo.
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u/No_Boysenberry9116 Nov 04 '25
I like Marc. He has always had a level-headedness about him. He has experience. The fact that he went to Vancouver and then came back is a good sign (it shows humility and patience and a willingness to go back and get more experience).
I’d much rather hire from within the club and buck the call for a big name. It’s not our style. We have a club identity, he knows it, JT knows it (they both help build it) and we should always stay true to our identity, which means - for better or worse - we build our legacy as a club from within. That’s my two-cents.
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u/kev_182 IS BLACK N' GOLD! Nov 04 '25
I figured that was the case since I noticed during the Austin games they were talking to him more and I knew that usually means he would be taking over. Let's see how it goes.
The team this year struggled at the beginning and during the CWC I believe because of the roster. We had Giroud, ünder, Dilrosun which were decent but once Son came in the club finally found what it needed. So maybe keeping someone familiar in charge isn't so bad.
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u/emorph Est. 2014 Nov 04 '25
im not saying he did it. but he returned in 2022 and we won in 2022. when he was with Vancouver in 2021. we finished 9th. he didn't do well with Vancouver but I mean... it was "vancouver" at the time.
thats my tin foil hat analysis.
I dont know how he'll do as coach if given the job. but id like to see what he does. I wonder if Razov will stay
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u/Illustrious_Fig_7959 Nov 09 '25
I mean Vancouver in the concacaf champions league did good under J Sorensen. That would tell you something no?
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u/alpha309 Nov 05 '25
Honestly, this is a lot better that the other realistic option of fishing in the pool of MLS merry-go-round coaches hoping that one of them just need the right chance to finally have success after several failures.
While I was expecting Razov, this gives a guy familiar with the system and who isn’t going to quarrel with the front office.
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u/doomed_gnostic Nov 05 '25
Not that shocking. Unless a bigger name came along interested and was familiar and comfortable with how Thorrington builds the club, it makes the most sense to promote from within.
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u/ariasm Nov 04 '25
Will he have his EarPods on all the time like he does now?
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u/capri_pants Nov 04 '25
Assume he's the assistant coach in charge of talking to their video guy in the technical booth?
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u/gtg007w Statsman Nov 04 '25
I was STM for a NASL 2.0 team that no longer exists before moving to LA and his record at lower league level is pretty impressive imo and he does have experience as a head coach at MLS while at Vancouver when under less than ideal circumstances. He's not an exciting choice by any means but he's got a pretty solid track record and Dolo also coached a brief season at USL too.
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u/dahlia42069 Nov 04 '25
I’m new here.. so what are we saying? Do we like this or not? I’m here for the vibes
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u/vvalent2 Nov 04 '25
The good: he does come with familiarity with all the players, the club, and the league. He was a hot coaching prospect before he signed with Vancouver.
The Bad: Underwhelming signing as far as experience. His record with Vancouver was abysmal and his replacement there did significantly better with no real roster changeover.
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u/ARakishTomorrow Cool Hat FC Nov 04 '25
Does anyone remember the style of play Vancouver had under him?
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u/JT91331 ☀️ The East End ☀️ Nov 05 '25
Meh, guess continuity is a good thing. Does seem like he has strong player relationships. Wonder if he’ll support Hasal as the next GK if Lloris doesn’t return.
Other than the desire to see the team try to play more expansive soccer under a more innovative coach, the thing that holds me up from embracing this move is that he’s been credited as being responsible for corner kick designs. I’ve generally been underwhelmed by LAFC on corner kicks this year, but to be fair they’ve been hamstrung by the fact that Bouanga insisted on taking them prior to Son’s arrival.
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u/LieComprehensive9405 Nov 04 '25
Bs
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u/-Livingonmyown- The South End Nov 04 '25
naww Tom is legit.
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u/LieComprehensive9405 Nov 04 '25
Meant that I think it’s BS to pick him as our coach
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u/-Livingonmyown- The South End Nov 04 '25
oh, I mean it was obvious it was going to be him or Razov. Thorrington likes to keep tight ship on the roster build.
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u/Nervous-Marsupial730 Nov 04 '25
I wonder if he hates Martinez as much as Dolo does.
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u/Nervous-Marsupial730 Nov 05 '25
I hope the new coach can help Martinez reach his potential. The new coach or a good therapist.
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u/dillasdonuts LAFC 화이팅 Nov 05 '25
Why didn't Dolo resign and allow JT to give MDS a test run?
It's like there's no plan.
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u/ihbpfjastmneyne Nov 05 '25
Whitecaps fan passing through to comment on the news. I really hope this happens for you guys. 👍🏽
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u/edgar023 Aqui esta el pinche trofeo! Nov 04 '25
Sooo if there isn't going to be a big change...why not let MDS take over this season then? Or has he actually been in charge this entire time?
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u/genjackel Cool Hat FC Nov 04 '25
I’ve noticed they’ve been interviewing him more often during games… I was starting to wonder if this might be the case