Jeff Paulus Steps Down As FC Edmonton Head Coach

After much speculation that he would do so, Jeff Paulus has stepped down as the head coach of FC Edmonton.

The Alberta-based club has confirmed that Paulus will stay on with the side in a new Manager of Player Development role, which will see the 50-year-old coach return to a youth focus for the Eddies.

For his many years of good, loyal service, as well as for his proven ability to develop young players, it was important for us to find a way to keep Jeff, so he could continue to contribute his great talents to the club. We just agreed that now is [a] good time to find a new head coach to lead the first team.

Tom Fath

Paulus coached FC Edmonton through 37 matches, ending his time as head coach with a record of ten wins, nine draws, and eighteen losses.

After FC Edmonton found itself winless five matches into The Island Games, Paulus himself suggested that it might be time for the FC Edmonton senior team to have a new voice in the locker room. Now back in Edmonton, it seems owners Tom and Dave Fath have agreed – though they’ve found a way to retain his services for the time being.

Jeff has been the heart and soul of this club for many years, and has dedicated himself to it. We recognized this, and for it we give our sincere, heartfelt thanks to him.

Tom Fath

Paulus has been a staple figure at FC Edmonton for nine years running, originally joining the side in its NASL era as an assistant coach to Colin Miller and technical director of the club’s academy system – something Paulus remains very passionate about.

Last year Paulus had also assumed the title of interim general manager following the departure of Jay Ball. In the inaugural CPL season, he led the Eddies to a third-place finish in the spring, but then saw the side drop to second-last in the fall campaign. At the Island Games, the club finished dead last.

I want to thank Tom and Dave Fath for providing me the opportunity to work in professional football for nien years and lead this club into the Canadian Premier League. I am looking forward to new opportunities and will continue to support this club as best I can in a role that really feeds my pasion for player development.

Jeff Paulus

The Scarborough-born coach becomes just the second-ever Canadian Premier League head coach to leave his post, with Michael Silberbauer parting ways with Pacific FC ahead of the club’s final game of the inaugural campaign.

Paulus will see his new duties focus on developing a professional player developmental pathway through the FC Edmonton Academy, with the veteran coach also seeking out international moves for the youngsters to aid their development. He’ll also consult with the club’s as-yet-unannounced general manager and coaching staff regarding statistics, signings, and roster development.

With FC Edmonton departing The Island Games without a win and having dropped from third to sixth place in 2019’s spring and fall seasons, fans of the Eddies will be hoping that the new gaffer can bring the side to a top-half finish. To that end, FC Edmonton has confirmed that the search for a new head coach has begun with immediate effect.