‘Interim’ removed from soccer coach’s title

Published 3:00 pm Friday, January 16, 2026

He was originally parachuted in and given the title of interim leader for the Vancouver Football Club (VFC) last summer.

This week, Martin Nash was finally appointed head coach the Langley-based professional men’s soccer team.

Nash was initially brought in on a temporary basis last July, when then head coach Afshin Ghotbi and the team parted ways mid-season.

Ghotbi has since gone on to sue the team owners, Six-Five Sports &S Entertainment LP, claiming he loaned the Canadian Premier League (CPL) team half a million dollars and has not been repaid as agreed. Allegations filed for the lawsuit last month have not been tested in court and the defendants have not yet filed a response.

Nash, brother of basketball star and coach Steve Nash, was a pro soccer player with a career that took him throughout North America, including spending time with the Vancouver Whitecaps.

The 50-year-old guided the Eagles through a historic TELUS Canadian Championship campaign, highlighted by performances against CPL 2025 North Star Cup champions Atletico Ottawa and the club’s first-ever encounter with city rivals Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Vancouver FC’s extraordinary cup performance under Nash secured the club’s inaugural berth in this year’s CONCACAF Champions Cup, with a matchup against defending champions Cruz Azul.

In league competition, his guidance resulted in three wins and a six-match unbeaten run to conclude the season. But they still ended it at the bottom of the league standings with 15 losses, four wins, and nine draws.

That said, VFC president Rob Friend said the club looks forward to what he calls an exciting next season under Nash’s direction and remains committed to achieving success both on and off the pitch.

“We are proud to confirm Martin Nash as our head coach, leading the next chapter of Vancouver FC,” Friend said. “His alignment with the club’s identity and ambitions made an immediate impact when he stepped in last season, and we look forward to his continued guidance in 2026.”

Also this week, VFC announced appointment of a new assistant coach – Nick Dasovic.

Most recently, Dasovic coached youth teams at Vancouver Whitecaps FC and spent 2024 and 2025 as assistant coach for Detroit City FC in the USL Championship. He also holds a UEFA Pro License, one of the few Canadian coaches to do so.

“It’s exciting to have Nick joining our staff,” said Nash.

“He has a proven track record of helping players improve and succeed, and I know his guidance will be key as we work to shape a team that’s prepared to compete at the highest level.”

And earlier this week, VFC also announced reinforcing the squad with the signing of Burundian forward Mohamed Amissi and CPL veteran Tom Field as the club prepares for the 2026 Canadian Premier League (CPL) and CONCACAF Champions Cup campaign, and continues to shape its roster ahead of the upcoming season.

As of this week, the Eagles roster includes:

• Goalkeepers: Callum Irving and Felipe Jaramillo

• Defenders: Matteo Campagna, Tyler Crawford, Paris Gee, David Norman Jr., Morey Doner, and Tom Field

• Midfielders: Emrick Fotsing, Nicolas Mezquida, Abdoulaye Ouattara, Thomas Powell, Michel da Silva, Vasco Fry, Luis Toomey, and Marcello Polisi

• Forwards: Terran Campbell, Thierno Bah, Kevin Podgorni, and Mohamed Amissi.

‘Interim’ removed from soccer coach’s title

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