Houston Dynamo hire former MLS player Paulo Nagamura as manager
The Houston Dynamo have hired Paulo Nagamura to be the team’s next manager, the club announced on Monday.
– ESPN + Viewers Guide: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, FA Cup, more
– Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN + (US only)
– You don’t have ESPN? Access immediately
Nagamura, 38, replaces Tab Ramos, whose contract was not renewed after the 2021 season. The research was conducted by new Dynamo GM Pat Onstad.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity. Club ownership and management are committed to building a team that will truly make our fans proud. I am grateful that Ted Segal, Lyle Ayes, John Walker and Pat Onstad gave me this role at a turning point for the Club, ”said Nagamura. “As a player, I’ve watched Pat and the previous Dynamo teams lift MLS cups, win conference championships and I understand the responsibility that comes with that role. That’s the bar, and I will work tirelessly to help the Dynamo return to the top level of MLS. «
Novo ano, novo Dynamo.
Bem vindo in Houston, @paulinhonag ?? pic.twitter.com/Pzr9mUjLiw
– Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) January 3, 2022
Nagamura was most recently manager of the reserve team at Sporting Kansas City. In four seasons as manager of Sporting Kansas City II, Nagamura recorded a 30-61-25 record, as the organization focused on youth development. He was also the team’s assistant in 2017. During his time with the team, the Brazilian coached 15 of the organization’s local players, as well as 23 academy products. This group includes the current international midfielder of Venice and the United States, Gianluca Busio.
“I am proud to welcome Paulo Nagamura to the Houston Dynamo Football Club,” said majority owner of the club, Ted Segal. “Paulo was known as a fierce competitor during his playing years and that competitiveness continued into his coaching career. He is a talented and high potential coach who we believe will get along well with our players and help instill the kind of culture that we are. work to create. «
As a player, Nagamura went through the youth systems of Sao Paulo and Arsenal before signing with LA Galaxy in 2005, where he won a brace in the MLS Cup and the US Open Cup. He went on to play for Toronto FC, Chivas USA and the Liga MX Tigres team, before ending his career with SKC.
With SKC, Nagamura won two more US Open titles as well as another MLS Cup crown in 2013. In total, he made more than 270 appearances, scoring 15 goals.
Nagamura becomes the fifth full-time head coach in club history, following Dominic Kinnear (2006-14), Owen Coyle (2015-16), Wilmer Cabrera (2017-19) and Ramos (2020-2021). He becomes the third Brazilian-born coach in MLS history and will be the second youngest among active MLS head coaches.
