Norfolk, VA – On Wednesday, March 23rd, Virginia Beach City FC announced Stéphane Thys as the club’s next Head Coach. Thys brings experience to the coaching position that the club has not yet seen to this point thanks to his playing career in Europe. Stéphane Thys will take the reins of the First Team effective immediately. The club’s next steps will be the continuation of the voluntary conditioning sessions that have been running since early February as they lead up to the start of the regular season in May.
“I’m pretty excited to work with this team,” Thys said during his first interview last Tuesday. “I see something, so we can make something [happen].”
Having played professionally in Europe, Thys brings a new perspective to the club. His experience playing for big clubs and training with famous players will come in handy as he begins to implement his style into the team.
“I like when the game is fast, open, offensive. I don’t really like to play defense. I don’t like to wait for the other team. I like my team always on the other guy. That is the game I want,“said Thys. “We just need this European kick. This side will be different so we are going to work to try to be different.
The man tasked with the hire, Technical Director Brandon Ricker is optimistic for the philosophy change as well.
“We are all very excited for the opportunity to have someone with Stéphane’s background and expertise coming into our organization. He comes with an extreme passion for the game and is a fierce competitor. Stéphane is confident and brings a new flair and perspective to the VB City family,” Ricker said. “Pair all of these things together and the player pool he and his assistant coach Jimmy McCabe are putting together, I believe we could be in store for something very exciting this season.”
As the season draws closer, be on the lookout for the schedule, preseason matches, player announcements, and more.
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