Bobby Smyrniotis signs extension with Forge FC, role expanded to head coach & sporting director

The most successful coach in the Canadian Premier League is staying put.

Forge FC announced Monday that Bobby Smyrniotis has signed a new deal with the club for the next four years, and that his role has been expanded to include the title of sporting director in addition to his duties as head coach. Smyrniotis has been coach and technical director since Forge’s inception in 2018, and he’s led the Hamilton side to four straight CPL Finals and three championships — in 2019, 2020, and 2022.

Smyrniotis’ responsibilities at Forge have been expanded after the departure of his brother and the club’s previous director of football, Costa Smyrniotis, to the league’s head office as Executive Vice President, Soccer.

Under Bobby Smyrniotis’ reign as Forge gaffer, the club has been incredibly successful on the pitch. In 131 matches under his tenure, Forge have 68 wins, 25 draws and 37 losses in all competitions, scoring 208 goals in the process, and they have never finished worse than second place in a full CPL season.

Not only have Forge dominated the CPL’s list of trophy winners, they’ve also established an international reputation for themselves under Smyrniotis. The club has competed in the Concacaf League three times — advancing as far as the semifinal in 2021 — and in February 2022 they became the first CPL team to play in the Concacaf Champions League, which they did in a close-fought tie against Liga MX side Cruz Azul.

“Bobby has established himself as one of the brightest tactical minds in Concacaf soccer over the last four years and what he has accomplished in the CPL since its inception has been phenomenal,” said Hamilton Sports Group Managing Partner & CEO Scott Mitchell in a statement. “We are thrilled to announce this contract extension and a well-deserved promotion as sporting director to accompany his head coaching title.”

Smyrniotis, 44, has been a finalist for the CPL’s Coach of the Year award in all four previous seasons, but has yet to win it despite his three North Star Shields with Forge — though he certainly wouldn’t trade any of his championships for an individual accolade.

The native of Scarborough, Ontario has an extensive résumé from before his time in the CPL too, having helped establish Sigma FC in Mississauga — one of Canada’s best producers of talent, with Canadian national team stars like Cyle Larin, Richie Laryea and Tajon Buchanan all spending time with the League1 Ontario club, not to mention 13 members of Forge’s current CPL squad. Smyrniotis has also spent time developing players in the academy of Greek powerhouse Olympiacos, as well as running camps within the AFC Ajax organization.

“I am excited and grateful to the Hamilton Sports Group for giving me this opportunity,” Smyrniotis said in a release. “The passion and support of our fans is second to none and I am looking forward to carrying on the pride of Hamilton and continuing to build on the winning culture we have set as a club.”

Forge are undefeated through three CPL matches to start 2023, having beaten Pacific FC in Langford on Sunday to improve to 2-1-0 as they strive to win a fourth championship and return to the Concacaf Champions League in 2024.