VANCOUVER, B.C – The Vancouver Whitecaps are set to add a new addition to the first team coaching staff and he’s quite a familiar face. After 15-years as a professional footballer Florian Jungwirth is hanging up his boots and joining Whitecaps FC as an assistant coach.
Jungwirth who coincidentally will be celebrating his 34th birthday on Friday, spoke exclusively to Har Journalist about his exciting new role with the Whitecaps and how it came to fruition.
“In the offseason Vanni called me and we had a good talk,” Jungwirth explained. “We talked about the philosophy and football in general. He asked me if I could imagine being his assistant coach for the upcoming season and I was like yeah, this is an amazing opportunity. At the moment I didn’t have the (coaching) licence, but to get a chance like this and to start at the professional level, this was a chance I couldn’t say no to. I’m really grateful to Vanni and the club that they gave me this opportunity.”
In six MLS seasons split between Vancouver and San Jose, Jungwith made 151 MLS regular season appearances, playing 12,362 minutes, scoring six goals and adding ten assists.
Before moving to MLS, Jungwirth started his career in his native Germany with four different clubs including, 1860 Munich, Dynamo Dresden, VfL Bochum, SV Darmstadt 98.
The Whitecaps were looking to add a new member to the first team staff following the departure of First Team Analyst Luke Summers who left the Caps in December. Summers has taken his talents across the pond and will join a Premier League side in early February.
“First of all we want to congratulate Florian on an incredible career,” Whitecaps FC CEO and Sporting Director Axel Schuster, said in a statement. “We are excited to have Flo join our coaching staff as he brings a wealth of experience having played in many competitions across the world. We have a number of young players on our roster and his first hand knowledge will provide a great resource for them.”
The writing was on the wall during Jungwirth’s final season as a footballer. Flo’s final MLS match with Vancouver came on July 23, 2022 vs Chicago. Following that match, Jungwirth was an unused substitute in eight MLS matches.
The decision to stay involved in football was never a question for Jungwirth. He has a gift of the gab and wants to help teach the next generation. During the offseason Jungwirth earned his UEFA B Licence in December. Finding an avenue where Jungwirth could stay active and give back to football was the key to the next chapter of his story.
“It was clear that I wanted to be a coach,” Jungwirth said. “Two years ago or something I knew I wanted to do that. As a European it was a question of staying here (Vancouver) or going back to Europe. It wasn’t another option to play for another MLS team. I like it here, I like the club, and the city. It was here or going back to Europe. The club gave me this opportunity and I have the plan to coach in professional football.”
The native of Gräfelfing, Germany was already helping coach at the Whitecaps MLS Academy level last season. Jungwirth spent time as a Whitecaps U-16 assistant coach. His role with the U-16’s helped accelerate his new venture with the Caps first team coaching staff.
“Flo decided to finish his career at the end of last season,” Sartini said. “He was already in the ranks of the coaching staff of being part of the academy. At the moment we were actually looking around to see if we were going to sign another member of the coaching staff. I would say it’s a perfect place for him to get experience, for us to get help. He will be mainly working with individuals through individual plans for players.”
Throughout his career Jungwirth has never lacked confidence or hidden his opinion on various topics. The Caps will be hoping that Jungwirth can use experience in the locker room to help build an even stronger relationship between Sartini, his staff, and Caps players.
“He knows how to approach players,” Sartini said. “He can also be someone who can easily understand if you’re pushing players too much as a coaching staff. Even in the room telling us the perspective of a player sometimes, since he was a player until a minute ago. Also he has an outgoing personality and he’s going to help me for sure.”
Whitecaps players like Tristan Blackmon are adjusting to Jungwirth’s new role with the club.
“Yeah, it’s great,” Blackmon told Har Journalist. “It’s cool when you’ve seen guys you’ve played with around the league make that transition into coaching. I’m sure he’s really happy to be here. I know a lot of guys are happy to see him not only on the other side of the club in the staff department, but seeing a familiar face in the front office.”
What exactly is Jungwirth’s specific role and what are his day to day responsibilities?
“Vanni is the boss,” Jungwirth said. “He has his philosophy, we talk about it, and we try to get the players to implement it on the field. Obviously we talk about individuals, how we can make players better. Vanni has the idea and we try to transform and transport it to the players.”
Jungwirth is not the type of person that is going to be put into a box. Jungwirth will use his expertise to help out on defence, but he will also provide assistance in other areas. He is not solely locked into one defined role. He will help out wherever he is needed.
The length of his contract as first team assistant head coach could not be confirmed.
“I don’t know,” Jungwirth said. “I haven’t seen it. It’s already in my files.”
Jungwirth earned a salary of $592,667 in his final MLS season.
“Again the contract is in the files, so I don’t know,” Jungwith said. ”I didn’t see.”
The Flo show continues for the Whitecaps as Jungwirth slides into his post playing career.
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