New St. Louis City coach Yoann Damet is embracing the challenge of rebuilding a club that missed the playoffs for a second straight season in 2025.

“This is an ambitious club, and we’ll work extremely hard every day to be competitive and play an entertaining style of soccer the fans and supporters can relate to and enjoy,” the 35-year-old Frenchman said Tuesday after landing his first full-time head coaching position.

Damet previously served as an assistant under Wilfried Nancy with the Columbus Crew, winning the MLS Cup in 2023 and the Leagues Cup in 2024.

Before that, Damet was an assistant under Los Angeles Galaxy coach Greg Vanney and twice managed FC Cincinnati on an interim basis.

“He has invaluable experience working with some of the best teams and coaches in the league, which I am sure will help him get the best out of our players,” St. Louis City sporting director Corey Wray said.

“Yoann is ambitious, competitive, and does an exceptional job communicating his soccer ideas, but most importantly, he values people and relationships. Having worked together before, we already share a foundation of trust, which I think will be beneficial as we move the team forward.”

St. Louis City parted ways with head coach Olof Mellberg in March and interim manager David Critchley finished out the season. The club finished 13th (32 points) in the Western Conference.

The cupboard isn’t totally bare for Damet. Players remaining from the 2023 expansion side that surged to the No. 1 seed in the West include goalkeeper Roman Burki and designated player Joao Klauss. Midfielder Marcel Hartel, also a designated player, returns for his second season in 2026.

–Field Level Media