MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact announced on Wednesday that Frank Klopas has been named head coach and director of player personnel of the club’s first team. Klopas signed a three-year deal, per MLS and club policy details of the agreement were not disclosed. Therefore, Marco Schällibaum will not be returning with the club in 2014.
A long track record
Klopas has a long track record as a player on the international scene and as a manager in the MLS, most notably as a head coach.
Klopas was named the technical director of the Chicago Fire in 2008, and was named head coach on May 30, 2011, serving both roles.
After taking over the team with a 1-4-6 record, he led the Fire to a 9-9-16 record that season and an appearance in the U.S. Open Cup final. In 2012, he led the team to the playoffs with a 17-11-6 record. In 2013, he led the team to a 14-13-7 record missing the playoffs by a single point. He’s compiled a career winning record of 39-29-23 in three seasons as head coach in MLS.
As a player, Klopas was a longtime US national team standout and a member of the 1994 World Cup and 1988 Summer Olympic teams. He scored 12 goals in just 39 appearances.
Klopas, of Greek origin, played nine seasons in Greece, most notably for first division club AEK Athens, where he won four Greek championships, one Greek Super Cup and one Greek League Cup.
The forward/midfielder then returned to the U.S. for the inaugural Major League Soccer season in 1996, scoring seven goals in 54 games over two seasons with the Kansas City Wizards. He then joined Chicago Fire to make history by helping the club win both the MLS Cup and US Open Cup trophies in its inaugural season in 1998. He retired at the close of the 1999 season with 50 appearances and eight goals with his hometown club.
Restructuring the technical team
In addition, the club announced that Mauro Biello (assistant coach), Youssef Dahha (goalkeeper coach) and Paolo Pacione (fitness coach) will all remain part of the coaching staff.
Philippe Eullaffroy will continue to work as the club’s Academy director while overseeing all aspects related to youth development and the club’s new U23 PDL team.
The club’s director of soccer operations Matt Jordan will be promoted to technical director of the club and will have increased technical and club related responsibilities within the organization while continuing to report to sporting director Nick De Santis, who will oversee all technical aspects related with the first team.
2014 Training Camp
The Impact will kick off its training camp will open on January 27 in Montreal before heading to Florida on February 14 to defend its Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic® title in Orlando. The 5th edition of the tournament will take place from February 19 to March 1 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
2014 Calendar
The Impact will kick off the 2014 season on March 8 against FC Dallas, at Toyota Stadium before heading to Houston to take on the Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium on March 15. The home opener is set for March 22 against the Seattle Sounders FC at Olympic Stadium, which will also host games versus the New York Red Bulls on April 5 and the Chicago Fire on April 12. The first game at Stade Saputo is set for April 26 against the Philadelphia Union.
2014 Season Tickets
2014 season tickets are now available in six categories, at a cost of $339, $443, $546, $667, $885 and $1,230 (taxes included), as well as in the Saputo Family Corner for $224 (children) and $443 (adults), taxes included. Reserve your seat for 2014 today by contacting a sales representative at 514-328-3668.
