Sartini out as Vancouver Whitecaps head coach
Posted November 25, 2024 11:07 am.
Last Updated November 25, 2024 11:09 am.
The Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club says it has “parted ways” with head coach Vanni Sartini.
In an announcement Monday, CEO Axel Schuster says he’s “incredibly grateful to Vanni” and said the decision was not taken lightly.
Sartini was made acting head coach in August 2021, when he led the team to qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs. Before that, he joined the club as first-team assistant coach, later he was made director of methodology, then head coach of the second team. He was named official head coach in November 2021.
“Since arriving in Vancouver six years ago, Vanni gave his all to this club and city. He embraced everything with passion and enjoyed tremendous success along the way. I am extremely thankful for our friendship and wish him all the best,” said Schuster.
Sartini says he too is grateful to Schuster and the club for his three years and three months as head coach.
“I will also always remember with fondness the successes on the field, but what I will cherish the most is the memories of my relationship with the fans, players, staff, and the community. Vancouver will always have a special place in my heart and my wife’s heart. Andiamo,” said the Italian national.
The club says it’s time for someone else to lead the team with “fresh and new energy.”
“We have started the process to find our next head coach as we look to take the next step and build a championship contender in MLS, as well as continental tournaments,” said Schuster.
The club says Sartini helped the Whitecaps qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs in three of his four seasons. He won three consecutive TELUS Canadian Championships, and advanced from the group stage in both the 2023 and 2024 Leagues Cup.
Sartini posted an MLS regular season record of 44W-40L-32D and an overall record of 57W-51L-39D across all competitions.
