On Wednesday, Vancouver FC announced that the club and head coach Afshin Ghotbi have mutually agreed to part ways.
The 61-year-old from Tehran, Iran was hired as Vancouver FC’s inaugural manager in November of 2022.
Ghotbi will be replaced by former York United head coach Martin Nash on an interim basis. Nash has also been appointed as the head of Vancouver FC's academy.
“On behalf of everyone at Vancouver FC, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Afshin for the commitment he showed to our organization,” said Rob Friend, Vancouver FC's President and CEO, in a press release.
“Taking charge of a team while launching a new organization is never an easy task. The work Afshin put in to help build this club from scratch went well beyond the pitch and we thank him for the dedication he showed on and off the field. We wish him all the best in the next steps of his coaching career.”
Under Ghotbi’s tenure, Vancouver FC had a record of 16-22-38 in 76 games played in all competitions. They finished in seventh place each of their first two seasons, missing the playoffs on both occasions, and currently sit in the eighth and final position through 15 games in 2025.
Vancouver FC are currently in the midst of a run which has seen them win just once in regulation in their past 26 matches in all competitions.
The club did, however, recently qualify for the semi-final of the Canadian Championship for the first time in its history. They will face Atlético Ottawa on August 13 and September 18.
Under Ghotbi’s stewardship, Vancouver also led the CPL in Canadian U-21 minutes over the past three seasons, with 12,535 since their inaugural 2023 season. Several young domestic players made their debuts over the past three campaigns, including then-16-year-old midfielder Grady McDonnell, who went on to join Club Brugge for the second-highest transfer fee in league history.
“To the ownership, staff, players, and fans, thank you for allowing me to play my part in building this club from the ground up over the past two and a half years,” said Ghotbi in a press release. “Through challenges, growth, and countless firsts, it’s been a true honour to be part of this club’s journey. I’m proud of what we built and I wish the team continued success in the next chapter.”
Ghotbi’s dismissal comes following a 4-0 loss to York United this past week. Ironically, that is the club where Nash spent two and a half seasons as the head coach. Prior to that, he was an assistant coach with Tommy Wheeldon Jr. and Cavalry.
Nash also had a 15-year playing career, winning the 2000 Concacaf Gold Cup with the Canadian men’s national team and earning 38 caps. He also spent time with the Vancouver 86ers, Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps.
Azad Palani and Niko Giantsopoulos remain as assistant coaches.
Vancouver FC are next in action on Friday, July 25 at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET. They sit 13 points out of the fifth and final playoff position with 13 matches remaining in their 2025 campaign.