After four seasons, LAFC and Bob Bradley part ways
It was announced today on Thursday, November 18 that LAFC and Bob Bradley part ways in a mutual decision. The agreement was made as Coach Bob Bradley’s contract expired at the end of this season.
Coach Bob Bradley was the first and only coach in the four-year history of the Los Angeles FC expansion franchise. In 2019, the former United States men’s national team coach and Swansea manager led LAFC to the Supporters’ Shield after three consecutive playoff appearances. Unfortunately LAFC and Bob Bradley part ways after the LA football club missed the MLS postseason, ending the season placing in ninth in the Western Conference.
As the second-winningest active coach in Major League Soccer history, Coach Bob Bradley led LAFC in his four years to a 58-34-32 record and 206 points. The Black & Gold made the U.S. Open Cup Semifinals and set the record for the most points for an expansion season back in 2018. They qualified for the Concacaf Champions League Final in 2020 and became the first MLS team to defeat three Liga MX clubs in a single tournament.
“Bob has been fantastic as the first and only head coach for this Club”, said LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington on the topic of LAFC and Bob Bradley parting. “He provided strong leadership and has been a great ambassador for LAFC. Bob helped us develop a winning culture and established a legacy that will always be a part of LAFC’s history.”
Bradley, 63, has earned the MLS Coach of the Year award three times, most recently in 2019 for leading LAFC to a record-breaking season. The former United States National Team manager has a career MLS record of 182-127-86 (W-L-T) and is now ranked third all-time in MLS victories.
“It’s been incredible to have played a part in the early history of LAFC,” said Coach Bob Bradley. “From the beginning there was a real commitment to connect to the city and the fans and we shared some amazing experiences.”
Although LAFC and Bob Bradley part ways, the coach left a mark on the club that we should build upon. It was an unfortunate series of events this year with injury bugs yet we still battled through and looked quite sharp near the end of the season. In good fashion, both the LAFC and the coach waited eleven days after the season finale to make the change. We hope the best for Coach Bob Bradley as he should have no problem leading to his next chapter in the MLS. Cheers, coach.
