John Hackworth Joins City as Director of Coaching

The internet was full of "Coach Beard" jokes this week as St. Louis City SC announced the hiring of John Hackworth as the club's new Director of Coaching. Hackworth's current facial hair lends a resemblance to Ted Lasso's assistant, but it's his soccer résumé that really matters to the team.

Hackworth has coached previously in MLS for the Philadelphia Union as well as in the NCAA and had a very successful tenure as head of the under-17s for the U.S. Men's National Team program, but many St. Louis soccer fans know him best from his time as head coach of the USL's Louisville City FC. At Lou City, he led his team to a 3W-2D-1L record against Saint Louis FC, in addition to handing Saint Louis a playoff loss in that club's final game.

At City SC, Hackworth's primary role will be to assist Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel in "coaching the coaches" at the various levels of City's club to assure a continuity of playing style and philosophy across the levels from the youth teams up through the eventual reserve and first teams as the club builds up toward its MLS debut in 2023.

By Joe Chambers