Following the extension of Lucho Acosta and General Manager Chris Albright, FC Cincinnati has announced the long-term extension of Head Coach Pat Noonan.
“We’re delighted to be able to keep Pat and his family here with us at FC Cincinnati,” Chris Albright, FC Cincinnati general manager, said in a news release. “His talent, leadership, and steady nature have led to incredible results on the field and ultimately, our first trophy in MLS. In a very short time, Pat has become one of the best coaches in our league, and I look forward to many more successful years together.”
Since joining FCC after the 2021 MLS season and three straight Wooden Spoons, Noonan has led the side to two consecutive playoff appearances and the 2023 Supporters’ Shield.
According to the FCC news release, Noonan’s 63.4 percent win percentage in regular season play is the second-highest in a manager’s first two full seasons as a head coach in Major League Soccer history.
“I’d like to thank Chris, Jeff, Carl and the club’s ownership group for their continued faith in me,” Noonan said. “This city has welcomed me and my family with open arms, and I’m proud to serve as head coach of this club. I look forward to our continued success together.”
Noonan’s first season with the club in 2022 saw the team rocket up from the doldrums of MLS to not only the playoff picture but contenders. Thanks to a style that used the best aspects of all of its players, Noonan led Brenner and Brandon Vazquez to their best seasons in MLS and also saw Acosta return to his D.C. United form.
In that season, FCC also picked up its first playoff win in its MLS history, defeating New York Red Bulls away from home.
However, the team has skyrocketed in performance in 2023, winning the Supporters’ Shield and securing home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Noonan has orchestrated this team through multiple struggles like Brenner leaving and Aaron Boupendza joining the squad, striker depth being non-existent and defenders constantly being out of the lineup due to yellow cards. Noonan has done all of that with a squad that only two years ago was the Wooden Spoon-holder.
“Since Pat came on board two years ago, he has taken this club to new heights,” Carl H. Lindner III, controlling owner and Co-CEO of FC Cincinnati, said. “He has led our team with confidence, guiding the club to the 2023 Supporters’ Shield. We are pleased to extend his contract as head coach of FC Cincinnati and we look forward to our future with Pat at the helm.”
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