MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact announced on Monday that Academy goalkeeper coach Jack Stern has been named goalkeeper coach with the first team.
“After analyzing the season as a whole, we decided to take a different direction regarding our goalkeepers. Jack brings a new perspective and tremendous experience to the team, both with the Academy and abroad,” said Impact head coach Mauro Biello. "I want to thank Youssef for his services and devotion to the team throughout the years."
Stern, 29, acted as FC Montreal goalkeeper coach over the last two seasons, in the USL, after joining the Impact Academy in January 2014, starting with the club as goalkeeper coach with the Impact U16, U18 and U23 teams.
“I am extremely honored, proud and excited to start in my new role with the first team. I have been with the club for three years now and in that time I have developed a great love for this city, this club, the fans and everyone involved in the organization,” said Stern. “I am looking forward to helping us have success in 2017 and beyond. I would like to thank Philippe Eullaffroy and his academy staff for the experiences we have shared over the last three years, and also thank upper management for showing the belief and trust in me to take this position.”
Stern previously worked as goalkeeper coach with the Academy of English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion, from 2009 to 2014, starting as an intern at 21 before earning a full time job in 2012. He currently holds both UEFA B coaching and goalkeeper coaching licenses and is in the process of getting his Canadian A License. He also holds a degree in Sports Coaching Science from the University of Worcester.
Born in London, England, he played with the academy of Wimbledon FC, then in the English first division, until age 16, before returning to his local club, Lewes, in East Sussex. He also played one season with the University of South Carolina-Upstate Spartans in 2007.
Assistant coaches Jason DiTullio and Wilfried Nancy, fitness coach Yannick Girard, mental strength coach Antoine Guldner and video and data analyst Massimo Di Ioia are all returning in 2017 to complete the first team coaching staff.
The club would like to thank Youssef Dahha for his contribution over the years and is currently looking with him for a new role in the club.
