DETROIT (WXYZ) — Detroit City Football Club (DCFC) has named Trevor James as the new head coach ahead of joining the inaugural 2019 National Premier League Soccer (NPSL) Founders Cup season.
James, who has worked in the United States and in Europe will also be the club's manager, and has more than 30 years of coaching and scouting experience.
After retiring from professional soccer in 1985, James worked as a freelance scout for FC Barcelona in 1996-97, Newcastle in 2001-02, FC Porto in 1994-96, Sporting Lisbon in 1992 and for the England national team during the build-up to the 1990 World Cup.
He was also the assistant coach for the MLS' LA Galaxy from 2006-2010, serving under three head coaches, and had two stints as the team's interim head coach. Other MLS coaching jobs include the assistant head coach for the Portland Timbers and Director of Scouting and Assistant Technical Director for the Chicago Fire.
“Through an extensive coaching search, Trevor demonstrated an appreciation for our club and its potential,” DCFC CEO Sean Mann said in a release. “Most importantly, we’re excited to have Trevor’s years of experience building professional rosters as part of our organization as we start this next chapter for DCFC.”
“I am honored to lead Detroit City FC into this new and exciting period in club history,” James said. “I would like to thank Sean Mann and the ownership group; I look forward to having the opportunity to continue growing their vision and building a legacy for the club and the city.
"There is so much positive momentum as we move into the professional era of Detroit City FC with a shared vision and passion for the game and the community, and we will work tirelessly to field a team that reflects the values and passions of the club and its fantastic and loyal supporters," he added.
After announcing DCFC would go pro and field players with professional contracts ahead of the Founders Cup, the team parted ways with former head coach Ben Pirmann, who led Le Rouge from 2013-2018.
According to the NPSL, the new league will compete for the first-ever Founders Cup from August - November 2019. The clubs involved will be making a "full-time commitment to their markets and will include professional players, coaches, and staff."
Eventually, that will lead to a full-league schedule running from the spring to the fall in 2020. The team isn't officially going pro as the league won't seek pro status from the U.S. Soccer Federation. Instead, the team will play in a league sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association.
“Beginning with the Founders Cup, fans will be able to enjoy watching authentic clubs compete with professional players and staff. This new venture will build upon the success and experience of NPSL and its nationwide network of local soccer club members," NPSL Chairman Joe Barone said in a release.
The other founding members of the club include: ASC San Diego, Cal FC, California United Strikers FC, Chattanooga FC, FC Arizona, Miami FC, Miami United FC, Milwaukee Torrent, New York Cosmos, and Oakland Roots. Plans are also being developed to add additional clubs.
According to the NPSL, the format, player roster information, schedule and other details will be released at a later date.
DCFC has continued to grow since it was established in 2012. Two years ago, they moved to a new home at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, and last year, the team had its first match ever broadcast on television, a friendly against FC St. Pauli from Hamburg, Germany. The team also took on finished last year's season against Serie A club Frosinone Calcio.
