Vancouver FC today announced the return of head coach Afshin Ghotbi for his third season with the club.

Ghotbi, 60, was hired to lead the Eagles in November 2022 ahead of the club’s inaugural season in the Canadian Premier League (CPL). His wealth of coaching experience across many levels of the game, including at three FIFA World Cups, played an integral role as VFC navigated its first season in the league in 2023, and subsequently improved its record in its sophomore year of play in 2024. 

“I am pleased to bring Afshin back for his third season with Vancouver FC,” said Rob Friend, President and CEO, Vancouver FC. “Leading a new squad in a league as competitive as the Canadian Premier League comes with its challenges, but Afshin has never shied away from the task. He continues to set lofty goals for our organization and we are confident we will achieve them during his tenure.”

Having been with the club since its launch in November 2022, Afshin helped guide the team to a 7th place finish in their inaugural Canadian Premier League season, going on an impressive run in the Fall winning four of their six final matches.

2024 saw Afshin break several records with the Eagles, including their largest winning margin in a match, defeating Valour FC 4-1 in April. Vancouver FC finished the regular season with a new record points total, and higher Points per Game than their inaugural season, missing out on the 2024 CPL Playoffs on the final matchday of the regular season.

The Eagles second season in the Canadian Premier League saw Afshin’s side go unbeaten in their final four matches which included two clean sheets. Ghotbi also helped VFC to five consecutive wins against their rivals Pacific FC, winning their first three matchups against PFC in 2024. 

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue our unfinished business in developing the ‘football factory’ of Vancouver FC,” said Afshin Ghotbi, Head Coach, Vancouver FC. “We have built the foundation and identity of a football club that will change the sporting landscape of Canada. I am grateful to the ownership, the fans, and players for their trust and support and look forward to a thrilling season.” 

Over the past two seasons Vancouver FC’s ‘football factory’ has been able to develop several promising young talented players under the guidance of Ghotbi. The likes of TJ Tahid, Grady McDonnell, and James Cameron have all broken historic records in the Canadian Premier League, earning interest from both domestic and European markets.

His time at VFC has seen him not only develop young talent but also seasoned veterans, with goalkeeper and club Captain Callum Irving being nominated for 2024 CPL Goalkeeper of the Year Award. Callum Irving was the second player from VFC to be nominated for a postseason CPL award after James Cameron’s was nominated for U-21 Player of the Year after a breakout 2023 season under Ghotbi.

Over his two seasons at the club Ghotbi is sitting at a record of 15W-14D-27L from 56 matches, the 2o25 CPL season will see him try and push VFC to new heights with the opportunity to win their first Canadian Championship match and qualify for the CPL Playoffs for the first time in club history.

Afshin has been helping with Vancouver FC’s offseason recruitment as he drafted Henri Godbout and Mehdi Essoussi in the 2025 CPL U-SPORTS Draft this past December. With preseason set to begin this February Vancouver FC will be publishing more roster updates in the coming weeks, as Ghotbi continues to build a competitive roster heading into the 2025 Canadian Premier League season.

Vancouver FC recently launched Season Memberships for the upcoming 2025 Canadian Premier League Season. Fan looking to join the Eagles at the Langley Events Centre for the upcoming season can purchase tickets here.