Eddies Assistant Coach Jay Bhindi Departs

FC Edmonton’s radio silent offseason now sees its first official departure in the form of assistant coach Jay Bhindi.

The former Eddies coach had arrived to Alberta earlier this year after spending two seasons in the USL with Austin Bold FC, where he served as the club’s opposition analyst. Bhindi held similar duties with FC Edmonton, assisting with video analysis, opposition scouting, and developmental plans.

I’ve taken the professional decision to move on in my coaching career and I can’t thank the people involved in the organization enough for what they’ve given me this year. A big thank you to Alan Koch who gave me an opportunity to come into this Canadian Premier League project, give me value lessons and knowledge, and allow me to express myself as a coach but also grow and much more.

Jay Bhindi

Bhindi also made sure to thank Club President Eric Newendorp, along with his colleagues from the CPL side and the players themselves.

They’re a group of men with great hearts that all helped me grow and I appreciate the relationship we built. The memories are priceless. The football world is small and I’m sure we will cross paths in the future.

Jay Bhindi

Bhindi had also once served as an academy coach with the Ottawa Fury, occasionally helping with analysis for the first team throughout his five years with the side. His next coaching steps, however, won’t take place in the nation’s capital.

If his next steps are in the CPL, his experience working with new York United head coach Martin Nash – and the club’s strong emphasis on analysis and data – could be food for thought.

The young coach described his season with FC Edmonton as a valuable experience with a lot of growth, but also a rollercoaster ride. The Eddies found themselves embracing an underdog role throughout the season, eventually finishing second-last ahead of Atletico Ottawa.

I’m so glad to have been a part of the daily work environment with each and every member of the club. Building life-long relationships, new experiences, lessons, the emotional rollercoaster that is professional sport, and more.

Jay Bhindi

With head coach Alan Koch under contract for a further two seasons and Eric Newendorp set to remain until at least the end of next season, the duo are hard at work building a side that has lagged behind newer clubs in terms of product both on and off the field.

See Also: FC Edmonton Facing Blunt Truth: ‘We Must Improve’

It is expected, though not confirmed, that assistant coach Brendan Shaw and goalkeeper coach Lars Hirschfeld will remain alongside Koch for the 2022 CPL season.

The club had seen coaching staff turnover last year following its winless Island Games campaign, with head coach Jeff Paulus stepping down and assistant coach Sean Fleming eventually departing, too.

While FC Edmonton is now well over a month removed from its exit interviews, the club has remained silent on which squad members will be returning for the club’s fourth season in the CPL. With star striker Easton Ongaro telling us that he’d like to explore options in Europe, this may be one of the most important roster rebuilds in club history – especially with attendances dwindling amid poor performances and the pressures of an ongoing pandemic.

While Jay Bhindi’s next steps aren’t known, his next venture is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.