Steve Cherundolo is LAFC's new coach

It was confirmed today through the club's social networks that Steve Cherundolo, former USMNT defender, will be LAFC's new coach, replacing Bob Bradley who left for Toronto FC. 

This will be Cherundolo's first time in the top job at a Major League Soccer team, although he has experience as a player and assistant coach. 

The announcement was made on the club's Twitter account, where a video was uploaded showing the former USMNT defender wearing the head coach's suit with the club's crest. 

The opportunity comes to Cherundolo because the contract of the previous coach, Bob Bradley, ended on the last day of 2021, but also because of an agreement that the institution already had with the player. 

How did Cherundolo come to coach LAFC?

This is the question that many are asking today, as the former player does not have much experience in big teams, however, an agreement with the institution and his previous experience as an assistant coach in Germany is the answer. 

After a brilliant career in German soccer with Hannover 96, in the Bundesliga no less, Cherundolo had a great deal of experience as an assistant coach. 

First as an assistant coach at VfB Stuttgart in 2018. And then, he worked for the German federation as assistant coach of the U-15 national team. 

It was probably this experience that Los Angeles Football Club saw in him to bring him from Germany to coach Las Vegas Lights, an affiliate team. 

How did Cherundolo do with the Las Vegas Lights?

It seems that Cherundolo's goal at that club was not to win titles but to prioritize player development. 

That is probably why the Las Vegas Lights' record was not so important when it came to proposing Steve as a coach, as the team finished as the last place in the eight-team Pacific Division, from the USL Championship. 

With a 6-23-3 record, Cherundolo didn't seem like the logical choice to take over the Los Angeles team as head manager. 

However, that's where the deal LAFC offered him comes in. That deal was that as soon as the manager's chair became vacant, he would be the leading candidate to fill it. 

And today, the club kept its word and named the former Hannover 96 defender as the team's new manager. 

Cherundolo's challenges at LAFC

To start with, the new coach will have to live up to the previous coach, Bob Bradley, a difficult challenge by all accounts. 

Bradley managed to guide the team to three playoff appearances, won the Supporter's Shield with them on one occasion, and was also important at the CONCACAF level. 

With LAFC, Bradley reached the final of the Concachampions 2020.

However, the coach did not have a good 2021 campaign, in which injuries weighed on the team's performance, which was inconsistent, obtaining a 13-13-9 record. 

After missing the postseason for the first time since joining the team, Bradley packed his bags and left for Toronto FC.

In addition, Cherundolo will have to solve the problem of retaining Carlos Vela, one of his most important elements. 

He will also have to deal with the case of players who left the club, such as Eduard Atuesta who left for Palmeiras of the Brazilian first division, and the loan of Uruguayan striker Diego Rossi to Fenerbahce, among other moves.

Can Steve Cherundolo handle the challenge of managing LAFC? Only time will tell.