DETROIT, MI – Detroit City Football Club today announced the hiring of new head coach and general manager Trevor James.

James will lead Detroit City FC in its inaugural 2019 NPSL Founders Cup season after 30 years of coaching and scouting at the highest levels of soccer in the United States and Europe.

Following his retirement from professional soccer in 1985, James moved into the coaching ranks with stints as staff at Ipswich Town FC and Colchester United before working for Sir Bobby Robson as a freelance scout at FC Barcelona (‘96-’97), Newcastle (‘01-’02), FC Porto (‘94-’96), Sporting Lisbon (‘92) and the England national team during the buildup to the 1990 World Cup.

From 2006-2010, James was Assistant Coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer, serving under three different head coaches during his tenure (Frank Yallop, Ruud Gullit, and Bruce Arena), as well as serving as the interim head coach on two occasions. In addition to his first team duties, he was promoted to Director of Player Development where he oversaw the creation and growth of the LA Galaxy Youth Academy.



As one of the most respected and longest serving assistant coaches in MLS, James served as Assistant Head Coach for the Portland Timbers from 2010-2012. From 2014 to 2015, James was the Director of Scouting and Assistant Technical Director for the Chicago Fire before he returned to a coaching role with Indy Eleven of the North American Soccer League (NASL) for the league’s final season. He was named Technical Director of Indy Eleven in 2017 and oversaw the club’s transition to USL.

“Through an extensive coaching search, Trevor demonstrated an appreciation for our club and its potential,” said Sean Mann, CEO of Detroit City FC. “Most importantly, we’re excited to have Trevor’s years of experience building professional rosters as part of our organization as we start this next chapter for DCFC.”

“I am honored to lead Detroit City FC into this new and exciting period in club history,” James said. “I would like to thank Sean Mann and the ownership group; I look forward to having the opportunity to continue growing their vision and building a legacy for the club and the city.

There is so much positive momentum as we move into the professional era of Detroit City FC with a shared vision and passion for the game and the community, and we will work tirelessly to field a team that reflects the values and passions of the club and its fantastic and loyal supporters.

I have been fortunate to coach in front of some of the most passionate supporter groups in US soccer, including the Timbers Army, and I am absolutely thrilled to have the honor of walking out in front of the Northern Guard every week. The atmosphere and heart they bring to the club and community is unrivaled.”

James joins the club after the recent departure of Ben Pirmann, who served as DCFC’s head coach from 2013-2018.

This season, Detroit City FC will compete in the inaugural 2019 NPSL Founders Cup alongside 10 clubs from across the nation. The Founders Cup will be held August through November, and will lead to a full league schedule in the spring to fall of 2020.

DCFC will be hosting a public meet and greet with Trevor James at the City Clubhouse (3401 E. Lafayette Street) on Monday, January 14. The event will kick off at 6:30 PM.