Portland Timbers appoint Marti Cifuentes as new head coach
The Portland Timbers have hired Spanish manager Marti Cifuentes, 44, as their new head coach on a three-year contract. Cifuentes, formerly of Leicester City, QPR, and Hammarby, replaces Phil Neville, who was dismissed in May. He was chosen for his tactical acumen and attacking style. The Timbers currently sit 11th in the Western Conference, three points below the playoff line. Interim coach Jack Cassidy will remain until Cifuentes receives his visa.
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Portland Timbers appoint Marti Cifuentes as new head coach
The Portland Timbers have named Spanish coach Marti Cifuentes as their new head coach, signing him to a three-year contract through the 2028-29 season. The 44-year-old arrives with over two decades of coaching experience across Europe, most recently with Leicester City in the EFL Championship. He replaces Phil Neville, who mutually parted ways with the club in late May. Interim coach Jack Cassidy will remain in charge until Cifuentes' arrival. Timbers owner Merritt Paulson praised Cifuentes as a young, analytical leader, while Cifuentes expressed excitement about coaching in MLS and building a team with a clear identity. The Timbers currently sit 11th in the Western Conference, three points below the playoff cut line, following a 5-1 win against the Seattle Sounders.
Report: Portland Timbers to Hire Marti Cifuentes as Head Coach
The Portland Timbers are set to hire Marti Cifuentes as their new head coach, according to a report from The Athletic. Cifuentes, a 44-year-old native of Barcelona, Spain, brings over a decade of European coaching experience, having most recently managed Leicester City in the EFL, as well as Queens Park Rangers and Hammarby. He will replace interim coach Jack Cassidy, who took over after Phil Neville was fired in May. The Timbers currently sit 11th in the Western Conference with a 5-8-2 record and 17 points, three points out of a playoff spot after a 5-1 win over the Seattle Sounders. Other finalists for the position included former Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff and Panama head coach Thomas Christensen. The report also noted that former Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin had previously engaged in talks with Portland about the opening.
Portland Timbers to hire ex-Leicester manager Marti Cifuentes as next head coach
The Portland Timbers are set to appoint Martí Cifuentes as their new head coach, according to sources briefed on the decision. The 44-year-old Spaniard will replace Phil Neville, who was dismissed in May. Cifuentes, who previously managed Leicester City, QPR, and Hammarby, was chosen for his tactical acumen and attacking mentality. He will take over from interim manager Jack Cassidy upon receipt of his visa. The Timbers currently sit 11th in the Western Conference, three points below the playoff line with 19 matches remaining. Other finalists in the coaching search included Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen and former Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff. Cifuentes was fired by Leicester in January when the team was 14th but six points off the playoffs; Leicester later won only one of its next 15 matches and was relegated. The Timbers believe key players like Kristoffer Velde and David Da Costa will fit well under Cifuentes.
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Portland Timbers to hire ex-Leicester manager Marti Cifuentes as next head coach
The Portland Timbers are set to appoint Martí Cifuentes, a 44-year-old Spanish manager, as their new head coach, according to sources briefed on the decision. Cifuentes will replace Phil Neville, who was dismissed in May. The Timbers, currently 11th in the Western Conference and three points below the playoff line, recently returned from the World Cup break with a 5-1 win over Seattle. Cifuentes was chosen for his tactical acumen and attacking mentality. He previously managed Leicester City, QPR, and Hammarby. Other finalists included Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen and former Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff. Cifuentes will take over from interim manager Jack Cassidy once his visa is received. The club believes key players like Kristoffer Velde and David Da Costa will fit well under his system.
Portland Timbers to hire ex-Leicester manager Marti Cifuentes as next head coach
The Portland Timbers are set to appoint Marti Cifuentes as their new head coach, replacing Phil Neville who was dismissed in May. Cifuentes, a 44-year-old Spaniard, previously managed Leicester City, QPR, and Hammarby. He was fired by Leicester in January when the team was 14th, and they were later relegated. The Timbers chose Cifuentes for his tactical acumen and attacking mentality. Other finalists included Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen and former Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff. Interim manager Jack Cassidy led the team to a 5-1 win over Seattle Sounders, and Portland currently sits 11th in the Western Conference, three points below the playoff line. Cifuentes will take over upon receiving his visa, with the next match against FC Dallas.