Smyrniotis Stays: Forge Re-Signs Head Coach To Multi-Year Deal

Bobby the Boss isn’t going anywhere.

Three-time Canadian Premier League champion Forge FC has extended the contract of the man who led them there, inking head coach and technical director Bobby Symrniotis to a new and massive four-year deal.

The head coach has led the Hamilton-based side to four straight CPL finals (winning three) while helping the team make history in both the Concacaf League and Concacaf Champions League too, with the team progressing deeper in continental action with each consecutive year the CPL has had a team participate.

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After 131 matches with him at the helm, Forge currently has a 68-25-37 win, draw, and loss record under his reign, scoring some 208 goals along the way. While that success has never seen him named as the CPL’s Coach of the Year award – somehow – he’s been nominated for it every single year.

“Bobby has established himself as one of the brightest tactical minds in Concacaf soccer over the last four years and what he has accomplished in the CPL since its inception has been phenomenal,” said Hamilton Sports Group’s Scott Mitchell. “We are thrilled to announce this contract extension and a well-deserved promotion as sporting director to accompany his head coaching title.”

The gaffer’s new deal comes with new responsibilities, with Smyrniotis now set to help fill the shoes left by his brother Costa Smyrniotis, who joined the league’s head office as its Executive VP of Soccer. Bobby can now add sporting director to his list of titles.

There had been rumours that Bobby was under consideration for the CF Montreal post when the Major League Soccer side needed to replace Wilfried Nancy, though nothing materialized from the rumours. Still, the public opinion was that he deserved the opportunity at a higher level.

Born in Scarborough, Bobby Smyrniotis has been a veritable powerhouse when it comes to producing professional domestic talent: co-launching Sigma FC in 2005, he’s helped a bevvy of players like Richie Laryea, Cyle Larin, and Tajon Buchanan (among others) progress towards national team heights, with no less than thirteen current Forge FC players having come through that system too.

Smyrniotis has also worked with the Olympiacos Academy and had worked to develop youth talent with AFC Ajax, too. For nearly two decades, however, his focus has been – and continues to be – making big strides within Canada’s own borders.

“I am excited and grateful to the Hamilton Sports Group for giving me this opportunity,” Smyrniotis added himself. “The passion and support of our fans is second to none and I am looking forward to carrying on the pride of Hamilton and continuing to build on the winning culture we have set as a club.”

Bobby’s team are currently second in league standings after three matches played, still remaining undefeated. The team has progressed to the quarter-finals of the Canadian Championship, having also made history under Bobby as the only CPL team to ever participate in a domestic cup, too.

Header Image Photo Credit: John Jacques