Afshin Ghotbi is returning as head coach for Vancouver FC, for his third season with the club.

Team president and CEO Rob Friend made the announcement Tuesday, Jan. 7.

鈥淟eading 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," Friend said. 

"He continues to set lofty goals for our organization and we are confident we will achieve them during his tenure.鈥� 

Ghotbi, 60, was hired to lead the Eagles in November 2022 ahead of the club鈥檚 inaugural season in the Canadian Premier League (CPL).

Under Ghotbi's leadership, the fledgling team finished seventh in the eight-team league rankings with a record of eight wins, five draws and 15 losses in 2023, then ended up in the same spot in 2024 with an improved record of seven wins, nine draws and 12 losses in 28 outings in 2024.

鈥淚 am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue our unfinished business in developing the 鈥榝ootball factory鈥� of Vancouver FC,鈥� said Ghotbi.

鈥淲e have built the foundation and identity of a football club that will change the sporting landscape of Canada," Ghotbi adddd.

"I am grateful to the ownership, the fans, and players for their trust and support and look forward to a thrilling season.鈥� 

Ghotbi, a native of Iran who moved to the United States as a teenager, worked on the technical staff for the U.S. men鈥檚 national team in 1997 and 1998, including the squad鈥檚 appearance at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and as an assistant coach with the South Korean men鈥檚 national team at both the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups as well as at appearances in the Confederations Cup, Asian Cup, and Gold Cup.

In 2009, Ghotbi was named head coach of the Iranian national team, leading the side to the quarter-finals of the 2011 Asian Cup.

At the club level, Ghotbi was part of the coaching staff that led the LA Galaxy to an MLS Cup win in 2005. He won the Iranian league title in 2008 as head coach of Persepolis FC, and was named the league鈥檚 coach of the year that season. Ghotbi has also worked for top-flight clubs in South Korea with the Samsung Bluewings,  Japan with the Shimizu S-Pulse and China  with the Cangzhou Mighty Lions FC.