Dos Santos Set To Pursue Top Coaching License

Canadian Premier League side Valour FC has confirmed that head coach Phillip Dos Santos will be embarking on his UEFA Pro License.

The Winnipeg head coach will be away for tomorrow’s home match against Pacific FC, but will be back to lead the team for May 28’s away match against Vancouver FC. In his stead, assistant coaches Daryl Fordyce and Jay Bhindi will assuming coaching duties.

Getting the UEFA Pro License – often described as the pinnacle of coaching credentials – is no small task. In fact, Phillip’s brother Marc Dos Santos specifically took time off between his stints with the Vancouver Whitecaps and LAFC to complete his own in a process, something which involved three different periods abroad.

Phillip, who currently holds a UEFA A License, succeeded Rob Gale as the head of Valour FC back in September 2021. It marked his first head coach role after stints assisting with Ottawa Fury, Fort Lauderdale, San Francisco Deltas, Indy Eleven, and the Vancouver Whitecaps.

The club finished one spot shy of a playoff spot in both 2021 and 2022, but presently sits in third place after a strong opening in the midst of an injury crisis at the back. With the league announcing expanded playoffs, it’s a statement year for Phillip Dos Santos and his crew.

Having a head coach miss a match due to coaching education isn’t a new thing in CPL circles: in 2019, Carmine Isacco took over for York United’s first-ever Canadian Championship match while Jim Brennan fulfilled his own UEFA coaching license qualifications.

Given that the course is year-long, it remains to be seen if Phillip Dos Santos will miss other matches as the year progresses.

Daryl Fordyce and Jay Bhindi will lead Valour into action this Saturday 5:00PM EST.