A few weeks after announcing the hiring of Steve Cherundolo, LAFC have added Oka Nikolov (GK coach) and re-hired former Vancouver Whitecaps manager, Marc Dos Santos (Assistant Coach) to their coaching staff.

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Most notably known for his tenure as an Assistant/GK Coach for the Philadelphia Union and the Galaxy, the hiring of the former Macedonian international, Oka Nikolov, as a Goalkeeper coach is a promising step towards the search of LAFC’s own goaltender and their development. As for Dos Santos, the former Whitecaps gaffer looks to begin a clean slate with the Black and Gold after an unsuccessful stint with the cascadian club.

**Oka Nikolov spent most of his playing career in the Bundesliga as the Goalkeeper for Eintracht Frankfurt, before retiring in the MLS and becoming a coach.** Photo Credit: Weltfussball

Familiar faces

There’s a lot more relation between these two coaches and LAFC than most people think. Marc Dos Santos was a part of Bob Bradley’s inaugural coaching staff back in 2018. His involvement with the first team opened many eyes across the MLS, leading him to his first-ever managerial opportunity with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Despite his success with LAFC in their first year, he was not able to replicate the results in Canada, as shortly after losing to CPL-side, Halifax FC, in the Canadian Championship last fall, the Whitecaps had no choice but to sack Dos Santos.
With familiar knowledge of the Black and Gold play style, the return of MDS should compliment new manager, Steve Cherundolo, very well.

**Return of the Marc - Former Whitecaps managers, Marc Dos Santos, returns to the Black and Gold after departing with the club in 2018.** Photo Credit: LAFC

There’s no secret Dos Santos has a lot to prove as he returns to LA, but the addition of Oka Nikolov should excite both LAFC and MLS fans. Nikolov comes from a very similar background as LAFC’s new head coach, Steve Cherundolo, as they both are Bundesliga player/coaching products.

Just like the “Mayor of Hannover”, Nikolov spent 19 seasons with Bundesliga giants, Eintracht Frankfurt, appearing in 400+ games during his professional playing spell.

After 22 years with the club, Eintracht Frankfurt and Oka Nikolov came to a mutual consensus and parted ways, so that Nikolov can fulfill one of his wishes: Playing in the United States.

Prior to retiring, Oka Nikolov signed with the Philadelphia Union in 2013, where he served as a mentor within the club’s first team, right before he retired the following season and joined Frankfurt’s academy directive. Evidently, he would end up in a position with the Union’s coaching staff.

As LAFC’s fifth year campaign inches closer, general manager, John Thorrington, continues to prepare the club and its personnel. Will the inclusion of MDS and Nikolov benefit LAFC’s road to the MLS Cup? Or will it will be the same old song and dance of unfortunate outcomes?

We might not have the answers today, but one thing is certain: we’re in for one hell of a ride as we get closer to kickoff in February.

Written by Jerry Reynoso

Jerry Reynoso is an 18 year old Journalist, Reporter, and Head Fan Correspondent for 110 Football. He is also the Founder/Owner of the Los Angeles Saga, and a Journalism Major over at Long Beach State. You can see more of his work on this website, on 110 Football’s YouTube Channel, and socials.