Whitecaps fire head coach Vanni Sartini in surprise move
The Vancouver Whitecaps have parted ways with popular head coach Vanni Sartini.
The team made the surprising announcement today, and the search for a replacement has already begun.
“We are incredibly grateful to Vanni,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director and CEO, in a press release. “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.”
Sartini took over as interim manager in 2021. He then dropped the interim tag and helped lead the team to three consecutive Canadian Championships.
“For the last three years and three months, it has been an absolute honour to be the head coach of Vancouver Whitecaps FC,” said Sartini. “I will always be grateful to Axel Schuster and ownership for entrusting me to be the technical lead of this club in such an important time. 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!”
We are incredibly grateful for the last 6 years with you. Thank you for everything, Vanni.
You’ll forever be Blue & White. Andiamo 💙
📰: https://t.co/njmouTNYDr#VWFC pic.twitter.com/RWs4vH4SzY
— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) November 25, 2024
“I took my time with this decision, and it was not taken lightly,” continued Schuster. “We have taken important steps each year and it is now the right time for someone else to lead this group on the pitch 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.”
While the Whitecaps achieved strong results in the Canadian Championship under Sartini, they weren’t quite as successful in other competitions. They did make the MLS Cup Playoffs in three of his four seasons but failed to make any deep runs.
However, it was this past postseason that the Whitecaps showed the most encouraging signs. While the team lost in Round One of the MLS Playoffs to LAFC, they showed a lot of grit. Despite losing, it was a hard-fought effort from the Whitecaps, who took the top-seeded LAFC to a do-or-die Game 3.
The Whitecaps earned two of their three total MLS playoff wins across club history in this year’s run. That includes a 5-0 blowout win over the Portland Timbers in the Wild Card match.
Sartini won over fans in Vancouver with his great personality. He was always good for an excellent post-game quote and embraced the community, appearing at local events and supporting the other sports teams in the city.
The coach finishes his time with the Whitecaps with a total record of 57 wins, 39 draws, and 51 losses.