The Chicago Fire has named Frank Klopas as head coach, sources briefed on the decision tell The Athletic. Klopas finished 2023 as the interim manager after the club fired Ezra Hendrickson in May.
He was previously head coach of the Fire from 2011-13 before taking a turn in charge of CF Montréal through 2015. Klopas eventually returned to the Fire as an assistant in 2020. As a player, Klopas finished his career with Chicago in 1999.
Klopas’ work to reset the locker room in a difficult year convinced the Fire he was the man to continue with the role. The club was second from last in the Eastern Conference at the time of Hendrickson’s dismissal; it finished third from last, tied on points with D.C. United.
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Klopas has a 49-43-29 regular season record as head coach of the Fire, the third-highest winning percentage in club history.
Chicago already re-signed sporting director Georg Heitz and technical director Sebastian Pelzer earlier this offseason. Both were out of contract this winter. The Fire has not made the playoffs in any of the last six seasons and just once in the last 11 years.
Chicago is set for another overhaul this winter. They are looking to move on from several key players after a disappointing 2023 season. The club already has one designated player spot open and is likely to open a second with the future of Jairo Torres in question. The Fire also has a U-22 initiative slot open.
The Athletic previously reported the Fire agreed a deal to acquire forward Tom Barlow from the New York Red Bulls.
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What comes next for Chicago Fire
(Photo: Ben Hsu/Getty Images)