Cup-winning LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo to depart at end of season

LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo is leaving the club at the end of the 2025 MLS season, the franchise announced Friday.

A member of the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame, Cherundolo was a defender on three World Cup teams. But he made his biggest career splash in Germany, where he spent 15 years playing for Hannover 96 in the Bundesliga before beginning his coaching career there.

He said in a team news release that he will move back to Germany.

"It is an honor to be the head coach of LAFC," said Cherundolo, 46. "After much reflection and discussion with my family, we made the decision that at the end of this year we will return to Germany. I love Los Angeles and LAFC, but this move is in the best interest of my family, even as it will ultimately take us away from a team, city, organization and fan base that I am proud to represent.

"I am looking forward to continuing our work with the players, coaches and staff to make the 2025 season a success as we keep fighting to win trophies."

LAFC are 4-4-0 (12 points) and in seventh place in the Western Conference ahead of their match Saturday against the Portland Timbers.

LAFC hired Cherundolo to replace Bob Bradley as coach in January 2022, with the club winning the MLS Cup and the Supporters' Shield that season. He also won the 2024 U.S. Open Cup title and reached the 2023 CONCACAF Champions Cup final.

His record with LAFC is 87-43-26 in all competitions. In Major League Soccer, it's 58-31-21 in the regular season and 8-3-1 in the playoffs.

"Steve has been a tremendous leader for LAFC and has proven to be one of the top coaches in our league," said LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington.

"What he has achieved during his tenure speaks for itself, and we are extremely thankful to him for his continued dedication and hard work. We support his decision to focus on his family with this move at the end of the season. For the remainder of 2025, our goals have not changed. We remain committed to winning trophies this season. We believe we have the people to make that happen, and there will be no better way to close this chapter than with another trophy for LAFC."

--Field Level Media