MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact and its head coach Mauro Biello announced on Thursday the coaching staff of the first team for the 2016 MLS season.
Wilfried Nancy becomes assistant-coach, Yannick Girard will be the fitness coach, while Massimo Di Ioia also joins the staff as video and data analyst.
Assistant coach Jason DiTullio, goalkeeper Youssef Dahha and mental coach Antoine Guldner will all be back in 2016 and will complete a coaching staff almost completely from Quebec.
“I’m happy to put in place my coaching staff,” mentioned head coach Mauro Biello. “I had the opportunity to work with Wilfried and Yannick during the past seasons and I was very impressed. They are two coaches with great soccer knowledge and who know the latest trends. Also they come from our Academy and understand very well the culture of this club.”
Wilfried Nancy, who was with the club Academy since its beginning in 2011, trained the U21 and U18 teams, and more recently the Impact U16 squad. Following a partnership with MLS and the French Football Federation, he received an Elite Formation Coaching Licence (EFCL). He also has the UEFA A licence and will eventually get the A licence from the Canadian Soccer Association. He also played pro in France (Ligue 2, CFA, national).
“It’s with great pride that I join the first team of the club because I’ve always been part of this environment, as a player or as a coach,” said Wilfried Nancy. “I’m honored to join the MLS team. I will apply what I’ve learnt and bring my expertise on the field every day.”
Yannick Girard was the Impact Academy fitness coach since its start in 2011. Before joining the club, he was a fitness coach for pro athletes and amateur clubs in the province. He owns a European university degree in physical preparation (DUEPP).
“It’s a reward for the work that has been done the past five years,” mentioned Yannick Girard. “I’m excited with this new challenge. I will now have the chance to show my expertise and my knowledge at a higher level.”
Former Impact player in the second division and head coach of the Impact U19 in 2014 and assistant coach with the U11 in 2015, Massimo Di Ioia owns the provincial B License. Following a few different technical roles with the Lac St-Louis Regional Soccer Association, he was named technical coordinator of the Lakeshore soccer club. As a player, he played 24 matches with the Impact from 2006 to 2008.
Assistant coach Enzo Concina has decided to return to Italy for personal reasons and will join Bologna FC 1909 as scout. Fitness coach Paolo Pacione will also not be returning with the club, as well as the performance analyst Vassili Cremanzidis.
“I would like to thank Enzo, Paolo and Vassili for their services with us and I wish them the best in their future endeavours,” added Mauro Biello.
