CF Montréal parts ways with head coach Hernán Losada; begins search for 2024

CF Montréal announced Thursday the club has parted ways with head coach Hernán Losada and assistant Sebastián Setti, citing the decision was "in the club's best interest for 2024 and beyond."

Losada, 41, joined the Canadian MLS outfit at the top of the year following the departure of Wilfried Nancy to the Columbus Crew, having previously managed D.C. United in 2021 and 2022. The club said the selection process for its next 10th head coach since joining the league in 2012 is "actively underway."

Losada's time at the club saw him take over during a time of change, as key contributors like Alistair Johnston, Kamal Miller, Ismaël Koné and Djordje Mihailovic departed the team despite its commendable showing in 2022.

He guided the team to 10th in the Eastern Conference (with a W-D-L record of 12-5-17), ultimately missing out on 2023 MLS Cup playoffs contention on Decision Day. And, while new stars like Mathieu Choiniere emerged under his tenure, others, like club Designated Player Victor Wanyama, were vocal in their dissatisfaction with the direction Losada had taken.

"I'll be as honest as I can, even if we would’ve made the playoffs, my answer would still be that I’m not satisfied with what I saw on the field this season," Montréal sporting director Olivier Renard told reporters, as quoted by The Canadian Press.

"There were some very good moments … but the problem is we only played half the season. Away from home, we were non-existent both in terms of personality and style of play."

While there are no names yet listed as potential head coaching candidates, Canadian Premier League standout Bobby Smyrniotis of Forge FC has repeatedly been linked to an MLS move as well as the Canadian men's national team job.