The search for a new Head Coach has come to an end for LAFC, and for the second time, they didn’t have to look very far to find their next choice. The club announced on Friday afternoon that the newest Head Coach would be longtime assistant, Marc Dos Santons, who was with the team when it all began.
The vision is set đź”’ pic.twitter.com/xBEBuDASgB
— LAFC (@LAFC) December 5, 2025
Dos Santos was part of the inaugural coaching staff when LAFC entered the MLS back in 2018. After just a season with the club, he was named the new Head Coach of Vancouver Whitecaps, where he spent three seasons from 2018-2021. He managed 81 matches with a record of 22-20-39 (W-D-L). He returned to LAFC in 2022, as an assistant part of Steve Cherundolo’s coaching staff. He played a role in helping the team win their first-ever MLS Cup (2022) as well as the 2022 Supporter’s Shied and the team’s first-ever U.S. Open Cup in 2024. The club announced he will be introduced officially as the Head Coach during a press conference on December 15th at 11 am P.T.
“We are thrilled to announce Marc as the third head coach in LAFC history,” said LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington in a statement. “Marc understands as well as anyone what the best version of LAFC looks like – an entertaining, front-foot style of play grounded in ambition, intensity, and a collaborative culture that reflects who we are as a club. He has earned the trust and belief of all of our players. From our emerging young talents to our most experienced stars, the support for Marc’s appointment has been unanimous. His relationships, clarity of ideas, and passion for LAFC make him uniquely positioned to elevate what we already do well and push us toward our full potential. We are excited for this next chapter under Marc’s leadership as we continue our pursuit of excellence.”
“I’m honored to step into the role of head coach at LAFC,” said Dos Santos in a statement. “This is a special club – you feel it the moment you step into the training facility or stadium, when you meet the people who work here, and when you see the passion of everyone involved. The ambition here is clear in the way we approach each day and in the standards we set for ourselves. My focus now is to build on the strong foundation and culture that’s already in place. I’m excited to take on the challenges ahead together with our players, staff, and supporters.”
The move isn’t a complete surprise, despite Los Angeles being the city of stars with clamoring for a “big name”, the team was always adamant they would likely look within to replace Steve Cherundolo. With nearly two decades of coaching experience, Dos Santos made the most sense given that line of thinking. Familiarity also plays a factor, as Dos Santos will know exactly what this roster is capable of, will have a sense of what makes it successful, and already knows the expectations thrusted upon him as the newest head coach of LAFC. Now, the team can focus on the other important aspects of the offseason, fine-tuning the roster and getting ready for a 2026 season that many will be expecting to end with silverware, if not the MLS Cup itself.
Thoughts on Marc Dos Santos being named the newest LAFC Head Coach? Give us your thoughts in the comments below!