FC Cincinnati name Ron Jans coach

Los Angeles, Aug 5, 2019 (AFP) - FC Cincinnati, who sacked Alan Koch in May after a disappointing start to their first Major League Soccer season, Sunday named Ron Jans head coach.

"We are excited to get Ron involved with the team as soon as possible and leading us the rest of the season," general manager Gerard Nijkamp said. "He has a pedigree of success and guiding strong clubs, especially through difficult transitions to championships."

Yoann Damet had been acting as interim head coach for Cincinnati, who are last in the MLS Eastern Conference on 17 points.

Jans, 60, is a native of Zwolle, Netherlands, and most recently managed at PEC Zwolle from 2013 to 2017.

In Cincinnati he will join forces again with Nijkamp, a former technical director at Zwolle.

Jans has had stints as head coach at seven different clubs including Groningen, Heerenveen, Standard Liege and Zwolle. His most successful tenure was at Groningen, where he qualified for consecutive UEFA Europa Leagues.

Damet will remaining on staff as Jans' top assistant, the club said.