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Soccer

Frank Klopas is named Chicago Fire coach — the 2nd full-time stint for the longtime club mainstay

Chicago Tribune
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Fire coach Frank Klopas directs his team against Inter Miami on Oct. 4, 2023, at Soldier Field.

Fire coach Frank Klopas directs his team against Inter Miami on Oct. 4, 2023, at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

The Chicago Fire’s coaching search is over, and they didn’t have to look far.

Frank Klopas, who coached the final 24 games last season in his third interim stint with the team, was named the Fire’s full-time coach Tuesday for the second time.

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Klopas, 57, previously coached the Fire in 2012-13 and has a 49-43-29 regular-season record as the team’s coach, including the interim stints.

A Mather graduate whose family emigrated from Greece to Chicago when he was 8, Klopas also has worked for the Fire as a player (1998-99), assistant coach (2000, 2020-23), technical director (2008-11) and broadcaster (2016-19).

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“I’ve never made it a secret how much I care for this wonderful club and city,” Klopas said in a statement. “Chicago is my home and I would do anything to bring success to the Fire.

“At this time, I believe that stepping back onto the sidelines is where I can best help this club achieve its goals. I’m excited to build a strong culture and a winning mentality within the team, where everyone is committed to a standard of excellence and hard work.”

Last season Klopas replaced Ezra Hendrickson, who was fired after a 2-3-5 start, on an interim basis and guided the team to a 10-14-10 finish. The Fire missed the Major League Soccer playoffs for the sixth year in a row and the 12th time in 14 seasons since they last won a playoff round in 2009.

Sporting director Georg Heitz said in a statement that the Fire “conducted a thorough process with numerous well-qualified candidates.”

“During the interview process Frank laid out a clear plan to create a winning culture and mentality within the club,” Heitz said, “and we are all aligned on the areas that we need to strengthen to be much more competitive in 2024.”

Frank Klopas celebrates after scoring the Fire's first home goal on April 4, 1998, against the Tampa Bay Mutiny.

Frank Klopas celebrates after scoring the Fire's first home goal on April 4, 1998, against the Tampa Bay Mutiny. (Wes Pope/Chicago Tribune)

A member of the Chicagoland Sports and Illinois Soccer halls of fame, Klopas played for the MISL’s Chicago Sting from 1983-88 and joined the Fire for their inaugural season in 1998, in which they won both the MLS and U.S. Open cups. He scored the winning goal in extra time in the U.S. Open Cup final.

Klopas also coached CF Montréal in 2014-15, posting a 16-26-16 MLS record and reaching the final of the CONCACAF Champions League.

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