MIAMI (November 29, 2021) – The Miami FC is pleased to announce that the club has hired Anthony Pulis as head coach ahead of the 2022 USL Championship season. He will begin coaching duties on Wednesday, December 1.
“We are excited to bring in an experienced and talented coach like Anthony to lead this team,” said Miami FC CEO Michael Williamson. “In our conversations, it was clear that he shares the same values and goals as Miami FC both on and off the pitch. Anthony has a proven track record of developing players and maximizing individual and team performance, which is critical for success on the pitch. I am confident that under his leadership, the club will continue its winning tradition for our Miami community and fútbol305 fans.”
The Bristol, England native takes the helm after spending the last two seasons as First Team Assistant Coach at Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami CF. Pulis originally joined Inter Miami ahead of the club’s inaugural 2020 season under head coach Diego Alonso, helping the club reach the MLS Playoffs in their first season. Pulis holds both a U.S. Soccer Pro License and a UEFA Pro License.
“Firstly, I’d like to thank Riccardo Silva & Michael Williamson for this fantastic opportunity,” said Pulis. “Their passion and commitment to this project at Miami FC is inspiring and I’m excited to begin working together. I’d also like to thank Inter Miami CF for allowing me to pursue this next step in my career. I’ve learned plenty from the experience and everyone I’ve worked with in the two years.”
Pulis is no stranger to the USL Championship, having joined Orlando City back in 2012 as a player coach. He spent three seasons in the role, playing in over 50 official matches and winning the USL Cup in 2013. During this time, he also started coaching in the Orlando City’s academy. After the 2014 season concluded, Pulis decided to hang up the boots and join the coaching staff at the club, where he’d eventually be named Head Coach of Orlando City B (OCB) ahead of the 2016 USL Championship season. During his preparations he also served as a first team assistant coach in the club’s first MLS season.
While focusing on developing talent for the MLS team, Pulis led OCB to the USL Playoffs in 2016, eventually bowing out to that year’s USL Cup winner New York Red Bulls II. In 2017, the club continued its success by finishing the regular season with a better record than the year before. His success at OCB paved the road to being named as head coach of USL Championship club Saint Louis FC in 2018.
With Pulis on the touchline, Saint Louis FC reached the USL Playoffs in his first season at the club. In 2019, his success continued as Saint Louis FC reached the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals, defeating MLS’ Chicago Fire and FC Cincinnati in previous rounds. Pulis departed Saint Louis FC after the 2019 season to join Inter Miami CF as assistant coach.
“I’m really excited for the challenge ahead of us at a club that I believe has the potential to be one of, if not the best in the USL Championship,” commented Pulis. “There is already the nucleus of a good squad of players here who I can’t wait to start working with on the training field. The immediate focus is to make sure we are intentional about recruiting the right players to compliment those we have to ensure we start on the front foot and have a successful 2022 season. Building a strong culture and collective team identity will be critical to ensuring we put a team on the field that the community of Miami-Dade can be proud of.”
Prior to coming over to the United States, Pulis played over 12 seasons in England.
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FOR MEDIA INQUIRES:
Nico Castillo – Director of Communications
Nico.castillo@miamifc.com
