FC Cincinnati has announced the long-term extension of General Manager Christ Albright. Albright has been at the helm of the turn-around of FCC since arriving at the club following the 2021 MLS season. However, FCC didn’t specifically state how “long-term” the extension is.
Albright’s prior contract was set to expire at the end of the 2024 season, with a club option for 2025, which FCC probably would have accepted had the extension not been signed.
“Chris has done a tremendous job since he took the helm two years ago,” FC Cincinnati Co-CEO Jeff Berding said in a news release. “FC Cincinnati have become one of the most exciting teams in Major League Soccer, leading to a 2023 Supporters’ Shield triumph. We’re pleased to extend Chris and keep him and his family in Cincinnati for the long term. He will continue to provide leadership and stability over all soccer-related areas.”
Since FCC hired Albright following the 2021 MLS season, he has been fundamental in making FCC the best team in MLS in 2023. His first move was hiring Pat Noonan away from the Philadelphia Union, and FCC went up from there, and I’m sure Noonan’s extension is next.
Alongside that pickup, Albright has also been in the GM seat as FCC signed players such as Obinna Nwobodo and Matt Miazga, drafted starting goalkeeper Roman Celentano and picked up loanee Yerson Mosquera. That isn’t even mentioning players like Santiago Arias, Aaron Boupendza and Sergio Santos.
Then, Albright has set up FCC for the long-term by giving extensions to Alvaro Barreal, Lucho Acosta, Roman Celentano and Brandon Vazquez and selling Brenner for a club-record fee.
“I’m thrilled to extend my contract to stay with FC Cincinnati,” Albright said. “For me and my family, coming here was a new adventure and we have been embraced fully by the club, the fans, and the city. It’s been an incredible 2 years and I’m looking forward to our continued growth and success in the future. I’d like to thank Jeff, Carl, and all the ownership group for their commitment to the club and for their continued faith in what we’re building together.”
At the end of this season, FCC will have some hard decisions to make in terms of whether to sell players like Vazquez and Barreal, who have seen European clubs vying for their talents, and then having to replace those players.
This upcoming offseason could be even more important to the club’s future than some of the last few. FCC had a lot of talent but nobody to lead it. Now, it most likely needs to properly replace multiple top contributors. It’s a good thing FCC will have the man who brought the three-time-running Wooden Spoon winner at the helm.
“Chris exemplifies what it means to be a successful leader, as he has overseen a positive, winning culture, managed a terrific coaching & technical staff and developed a talented roster, helping make Cincinnati a championship city,” Carl H. Lindner III, controlling owner and Co-CEO of FC Cincinnati, said. “We appreciate how Chris and his family have embraced Cincinnati and are pleased to extend his contract.”
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