Marc Dos Santos becomes LAFC’s third head coach in club history. The 48-year-old Canadian coach moves up from assistant after four seasons. He replaces Steve Cherundolo, who departed following the 2025 campaign.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Marc Dos Santos appointed December 5, 2025 as LAFC’s third head coach
- Former Vancouver Whitecaps head coach with a 22-37-18 record from 2019-2021
- NASL Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2017, led San Francisco Deltas to 2017 championship
- Brings nearly two decades of coaching experience across Canada, Brazil, and the United States
From Assistant to Head Coach: Dos Santos Earns Promotion
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Dos Santos spent the past four seasons as LAFC’s assistant coach under Steve Cherundolo. During his time in that role, the club won three major trophies: the 2022 MLS Cup, 2022 Supporters’ Shield, and 2024 U.S. Open Cup. His elevation to head coach comes after proving himself instrumental in LAFC’s sustained success and earning unanimous support from the roster.
The Montréal native was also part of the inaugural LAFC coaching staff in 2018 under Bob Bradley. This marks the second time LAFC has promoted a head coach from within—Cherundolo was elevated from his role with the Las Vegas Lights in January 2022.
Building on a Legacy: Dos Santos’ Proven MLS Pedigree
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Dos Santos brings extensive MLS experience and international coaching credentials to the role. His professional head coaching record spans 146 wins, 118 losses, and 88 draws across multiple competitions and continents.
| Coaching Milestone | Details |
| Vancouver Whitecaps (2019-2021) | 22-37-18 record |
| NASL Coach of the Year | 2015 and 2017 |
| San Francisco Deltas | 2017 NASL Championship winner |
| Swope Park Rangers (2016) | USL Western Conference Championship |
| UEFA Pro License | Earned September 2022 |
Beyond his MLS success, Dos Santos has coached across North America with championship-winning clubs. With the Montréal Impact, he won the 2009 USL First Division title. He also captured the 2015 NASL Fall Season Championship with Ottawa Fury FC. His resume includes youth coaching success in Brazil, where he won a Copa do Brasil U-15 championship with SE Palmeiras.
LAFC’s Third Head Coach: Following Bradley and Cherundolo
The appointment of Dos Santos makes him only the third head coach in LAFC’s nine-season history. Bob Bradley, the club’s inaugural coach, served from 2017 to 2021 and established the club’s winning culture and identity. Steve Cherundolo took over in January 2022 and delivered immediate success.
During his four seasons, Cherundolo became the franchise’s winningest head coach all-time, surpassing Bob Bradley. He completed the 2025 season with a 100-victory threshold in club history, cementing his legacy during a successful tenure that included multiple playoff appearances and trophy wins.
Leadership Vision: What Dos Santos Brings to Los Angeles
LAFC Co-President and General Manager John Thorrington emphasized Dos Santos’ deep understanding of the club’s philosophy. The appointment reflects confidence in his ability to maintain the club’s entertaining, front-foot style of play grounded in ambition and intensity. LAFC Lead Managing Owner Bennett Rosenthal highlighted that Dos Santos brings both continuity through his established presence and fresh approaches to elevate performance.
“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.”
— John Thorrington, LAFC Co-President and General Manager
What Happens Next for Dos Santos and the Black & Gold?
Dos Santos takes command with a talented roster already in place and core pieces positioned for long-term success. The coaching staff makeup is yet to be announced, but continuity appears central to the transition strategy. Ante Razov, the only coach on the LAFC staff for each of the club’s eight seasons, pursued the position but Dos Santos emerged as the top choice.
The new head coach expressed enthusiasm about the challenge ahead. In his statement, Dos Santos emphasized building on the strong foundation while bringing fresh ideas to take the club toward its full potential. With nine seasons of franchise history now behind them, LAFC enters a new era under proven MLS pedigree committed to maintaining the championship standard.
Sources
- Los Angeles FC Official – Official LAFC announcement and biography
- Daily Breeze – Comprehensive coaching transition coverage
- MLS Soccer – Verified MLS coaching records and history
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.