Los Angeles FC (LAFC) has recently announced a multi-year contract extension for head coach Steve Cherundolo. This decision comes after Cherundolo led the club to two MLS Cup finals and secured one championship in his first two seasons at the helm. The terms and length of the contract extension have not been disclosed by the team. Additionally, LAFC has also agreed to extensions with assistant coaches Ante Razov, Marc Dos Santos, and Oka Nikolov.
The 44-year-old Cherundolo has had a remarkable impact on the team since replacing Bob Bradley before the 2022 season. His impressive record includes a 35-19-14 in the MLS regular season and a 6-1-1 in the playoffs. Notably, LAFC clinched the Supporters’ Shield and their first MLS Cup championship under his guidance last season. Furthermore, Cherundolo led the team to the final match of the MLS playoffs and the CONCACAF Champions League in the current year. Although LAFC narrowly lost 2-1 to Columbus in the MLS Cup final, Cherundolo’s achievements cannot be understated.
Steve Cherundolo’s accomplishments as a coach have cemented his place in MLS history. He holds the distinction of being the only manager to achieve both the league’s best regular-season record and win an MLS Cup in his debut season. This incredible feat exemplifies Cherundolo’s ability to lead a team successfully from the very beginning. Moreover, he is also the third coach ever to reach the MLS Cup finals in consecutive seasons. However, Cherundolo takes it a step further by becoming the first coach to reach both the finals of the MLS Cup postseason and the Champions League in the same calendar year.
Born and raised in Southern California, Cherundolo has had an extensive career in professional soccer. He played for Hannover 96 in Germany, primarily in the Bundesliga, before transitioning into coaching. Cherundolo coached in Germany from 2014 until 2021, gaining valuable experience and knowledge in the process. In 2021, he spent a season in charge of LAFC’s USL affiliate team in Las Vegas before receiving a well-deserved promotion by LAFC general manager John Thorrington, who is also Cherundolo’s friend and former teammate.
With his contract extension, Steve Cherundolo has the opportunity to continue building upon LAFC’s recent success. The team’s management has shown great confidence in his abilities, and the contract extension demonstrates their commitment to Cherundolo’s vision for the club’s future. As he continues to develop a winning culture at LAFC, fans can expect great things from the team under Cherundolo’s leadership.
Steve Cherundolo’s contract extension as the head coach of Los Angeles FC signifies the positive impact he has made on the team. His coaching achievements, record-breaking performances, and rich background in the sport all contribute to his success. Cherundolo’s tenure at LAFC has already been marked by significant accomplishments, and with the renewed trust from the club, he has the opportunity to lead the team to even greater heights in the seasons to come.