Rihanna's Target run turns heads in New York City
- Pascal Jansen has been appointed as coach of New York City FC, securing a four-year contract.
- His previous role was at Hungarian club Ferencvaros, where he left a week prior to his new appointment.
- This hiring follows the release of Nick Cushing and aims to improve the team's performance in Major League Soccer.
On a Monday in early January 2025, Major League Soccer team New York City FC announced the hiring of Pascal Jansen as their new head coach. Jansen, who has dual Dutch and British citizenship, signed a four-year contract after leaving his position at the Hungarian club Ferencvaros just a week before. This transition comes in the wake of the departure of former coach Nick Cushing, who was released from his duties following a disappointing loss to the New York Red Bulls during the Eastern Conference semifinals of the playoffs in November. Jansen, aged 51, has a history of coaching in various leagues, previously leading AZ Alkmaar from December 2020 to January 2022. His role at Ferencvaros was brief, having been appointed in June 2024, making his return to management in New York significant for both him and the club. The appointment marks the beginning of a hopeful new chapter for NYCFC as they prepare for their 11th season in MLS. The hiring means that Jansen becomes the club's sixth coach, following in the footsteps of previous mentors such as Jason Kreis, Patrick Vieira, and Ronny Deila. Cushing’s tenure ended after mixed results and frustrations, particularly highlighted by the club's performance in the playoffs, prompting management to seek new leadership. With a fresh coaching perspective, NYCFC aims to reinvigorate their strategies and performance on the pitch. Meanwhile, the new coach transitions from Ferencvaros to New York amid hopes of turning around the team's fortunes in a highly competitive league. The recruitment of Jansen signals New York City FC's ambitions to enhance their competitive edge in Major League Soccer. By investing in a coach with international experience, the organization seeks to capitalize on Jansen's prior achievements and adapt his tactical approaches, intending to establish a stronger presence in the league. As the club prepares for their upcoming matches, all eyes will be on Jansen as he begins to implement his philosophy and shape the roster in line with the visions stated during his hiring.