FC Cincinnati decided to fire their manager Alan Koch after the team opened their inaugural MLS season with only two wins in 11 games. The decision was made public on Tuesday, with Cincinnati announcing that assistant coach Yoann Damet will take over managerial duties on an interim basis.
“After a series of recent issues and a team culture that had deteriorated, we determined that it’s time to make a change to return a club-centered focus to the team,” -said FC Cincinnati President and general manager Jeff Berding in a statement.
Koch’s firing came after the 44-year-old manager started questioning the strength of his team and the talent he has on disposal. This caused unsettlement among the players, which contributed to an unhealthy situation in the locker room.
“This decision is not driven by recent game results themselves, but rather the underpinnings that have led to those results.” – added Berding. “We have not come close to maximizing the talent we have in the dressing room this year, nor have we seen a foundation being built that will set us up for success this year and into next year. Our whole locker room is committed to our club goal of earning an MLS postseason bid, and we need to put them in the best position to do so.”
Alan Koch was named FC Cincinnati’s manager in February 2017, while the team was still competing in United Soccer League. In his first season with the team, he took Cincinnati to semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup while they finished USL regular season with 12–10–10 record. The following year, Cincinnati claimed the USL Regular Season Championship while Koch was named the USL Coach of the Year.
