Dalglish to grow club’s community footprint
MIAMI (NOVEMBER 13, 2019 ) – The Miami FC, Miami’s only professional soccer club playing in Miami, has today announced the appointment of Paul Dalglish as General Manager, Former Miami FC Head Coach Dalglish will focus his efforts on the expansion and enhancement of the club’s community projects including The Miami FC Youth Soccer Academy, currently based at Tamiami Park.
Commenting on his appointment, Dalglish said: “It’s a privilege to have been appointed General Manager here at Miami FC. I’ve enjoyed two fantastic years as Head Coach, winning seven trophies on the way and developing a style of play that is now instilled in the ethos of the club. The values that have underpinned our on the field success will also now underpin how we operate as a club in the community.”
“The owners and I share a vision about the future of this football club and I’m delighted to be able to take forward that vision. We want this club to be a part of the fabric of this city. We want to contribute to the community, not take away from it. We want to be a community club and provide Miami soccer community with inclusive, accessible and professional facilities in which to learn, play and watch the game.”
“I’m convinced that this is the right direction for the club and I have experience of doing this from my time in Austin. We have ambitious plans to expand the Youth Academy and significantly increase our community outreach and I’m excited to lead the club forward in this new direction.”
Having joined The Miami FC from Ottawa Fury FC in 2018, Dalglish oversaw a highly successful spell as Head Coach of the South Florida team. Under his guidance, The Miami FC achieved no less than seven trophies including the NPSL National Championship and the newly established NISA East Coast Championship in November 2019.
An announcement regarding Dalglish’s successor will be made in the coming days. On this, Dalglish said:
“We’ll be making a further announcement around the new Head Coach shortly, but part of my role will continue to ensure the level of operations across the first team remain at the highest standard.”
For more information on The Miami FC, go to MiamiFC.com, call 844-MIAMIFC or follow us @TheMiamiFC.
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Paul Dalglish
Paul Dalglish, the son of legendary Scotland international, Celtic and Liverpool forward Kenny Dalglish, enjoyed a successful playing career through the ranks of the Premier League and the Scottish Premiership before heading to the MLS in 2006. He won the MLS Cup twice with the Houston Dynamo in both of his seasons with the club, in 2006 and 2007.
After working in the Houston Dynamo Academy in 2009, Dalglish began his coaching career as manager of the Tampa Bay Rowdies in 2010. From 2012 to 2013, he managed the Austin Aztex of the PDL. Under Dalglish’s tutelage, the Aztex reached the Conference Finals in 2012 and won the league championship in 2013, a year in which Dalglish was named the PDL Coach of the Year. Dalglish became an assistant coach with Real Salt Lake in 2014, before returning to lead the Aztex in early 2015. In November of that year, Dalglish was named Head Coach and General Manager of Ottawa Fury FC. After two seasons with Ottawa, Dalglish joined The Miami FC where he has won 29 out of 33 matches in charge and was undefeated in the last 20.
Paul Dalglish won seven trophies, the most for any professional soccer club in the US over the last two seasons.
The Miami FC
The Miami Football Club is Miami’s longest-tenured professional soccer club, owned by Silva International Investments owner Riccardo Silva.
The Miami FC played in the North American Soccer League (NASL) during its first two years and achieved a historic season in 2017, winning the Spring Season and Fall Season Championships, along with breaking several modern day NASL team and individual records. The Miami FC also advanced to the Quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup, the oldest and most prestigious soccer tournament in the country, which determines the top club in the United States.
In 2018, the club began play in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) and dominated its competition on its way to three trophies, including the NPSL National Championship. Similar success followed in 2019, defending the NPSL National Championship before joining the inaugural NISA Showcase where they were crowned East Coast Champions in November 2019.
The Miami FC Youth Soccer Academy
The Miami FC announced the launch of its new Youth Academy Program at Tamiami Park in December 2018. As a further demonstration of the club’s continued commitment to soccer in Miami, The Miami FC Youth Soccer Academy is dedicated to increasing opportunities for youth soccer players in South Florida to develop their skills and knowledge of the game.
Located in close proximity to Riccardo Silva Stadium at Florida International University, The Miami FC Youth Soccer Academy has over 300 members are currently signed to the program and The Miami FC aims to grow the membership significantly over the coming years. The Academy curriculum is overseen by first team coaches of The Miami FC.
