LAFC Sack Marc Dos Santos as Playoff Push Falters
LAFC have dismissed head coach Marc Dos Santos with six Major League Soccer regular-season matches left, ending a 39-game spell in which the club recorded 19 wins, 10 defeats and 10 draws. The decision follows a prolonged decline in results after the World Cup break, with LAFC sitting sixth in the Western Conference despite beginning the campaign among the leading MLS Cup picks.
LAFC coaching change at a glance
| Item | Figure or date | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Dos Santos record | 19 wins, 10 losses, 10 draws | His final return as LAFC head coach |
| Western Conference position | Sixth | With six regular-season fixtures remaining |
| MLS wins since August 1 | One | A 2-0 result against New York Red Bulls |
| Son Heung-min this season | 6 goals, 13 assists | After scoring 12 times in his first 13 LAFC appearances late in 2025 |
The club said it had reached the decision after consideration and thanked Dos Santos for his commitment and contribution over his years with LAFC. It added that an interim coaching arrangement would be confirmed shortly while a search for the next permanent manager begins.
Dos Santos had been promoted internally after Steve Cherundolo left midway through last year to join the United States Youth National Team set-up. The appointment drew some surprise, and the former coach was unable to establish sustained form from a squad carrying some of the league’s highest-priced talent.
LAFC’s attacking output has fallen short of the level expected from a forward group including Son and Denis Bouanga. They rank 15th across MLS for goals per game, 19th for big chances created and 16th for expected goals.
Son made an immediate impact after his arrival toward the end of 2025, scoring 12 goals in 13 outings. His return this season has been less prolific, although his 13 assists underline his continued role in the side’s chance creation.
The team initially won three consecutive matches after the World Cup pause, but their form then deteriorated sharply. Since August 1, their only MLS victory came against a struggling Red Bulls side, while their Leagues Cup run also ended prematurely despite LAFC avoiding defeat in all three group-stage matches.
LAFC now face a closing sequence that includes meetings with Vancouver, NYCFC and an improving LA Galaxy. The club has not indicated whether it intends to install a full-time successor before the regular season concludes or carry an interim solution through to the end of the year.
