Los Angeles – Los Angeles FC has selected its new coach to start 2022. This is about Steve Cerundolo. The 42-year-old former U.S. national team player has been managing LAFC’s USL subsidiary Las Vegas Lights FC since March, and has now had the opportunity with Angelinos following the departure of Bob Bradley.
Cerundolo, who played for Hannover 96 in Germany for 17 years, is the longest-lived American footballer in Europe. Three times at the World Cup, he defended the colors of the stars and stripes at the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cups.
Since his retirement, he has received a training license from UEFA and trained in Europe. He was an assistant coach for the German Under-15 team, and also coached at his beloved club, Hanover 96, and the Stuttgart Bundesliga. For a short time in 2018, Cerundolo joined the coaching staff of the United States team for some games and training camps in Europe.
Since his debut at MLS in 2018, Cerundolo has been coming to the LAFC bench with the motto of maintaining the style of play that the Aurinegro team wanted, fighting for higher positions and constantly developing young players. Steve is well aware of the Los Angeles Academy, giving Las Vegas Lights FC a few minutes into the season and managing many of their promises.
Cerundolo will seek to reclaim the best version of Carlos Vela as team leader and chairman, defining the future of the Mexican attacker for at least the remaining six months of his contract.