Marti Cifuentes, who has more than a decade of coaching experience in Europe, will ​take over as head coach of ‌the Portland Timbers, The Athletic reported.
Cifuentes, 44, will replace interim coach Jack Cassidy, who has held that ​role since the Timbers fired Phil ​Neville in May.

Following its 5-1 win ⁠over the rival Seattle Sounders on ​Thursday, Portland (5-8-2, 17 points) is 11th in the ​Western Conference, three points out of a playoff spot with 19 matches remaining.

A native of Barcelona, Spain, ​Cifuentes most recently coached Leicester City of ​the EFL, now relegated to EFL League One, and ‌also ⁠has been at the helm of Queens Park Rangers and Hammarby, among other clubs.

Among several candidates from the United States and ​abroad, former Austin ​FC ⁠head coach Josh Wolff and Panama head coach Thomas Christensen were ​the other finalists for the Timbers' ​position, ⁠per the report, issued Saturday night.

The Athletic previously reported that former Philadelphia Union head coach ⁠Jim ​Curtin, who will take over ​as Austin head coach next season, had engaged in ​talks with Portland about its opening.



-Reuters