Columbus Crew 2 head coach Laurent Courtois is set to join MLS side CF Montreal as the club’s next head coach. This was first reported by Tom Bogert of The Athletic and confirmed by Massive Report.
Courtois, who joined the Black & Gold organization as the first-ever Crew 2 head coach in 2022, helped guide Columbus’ reserve side to the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Cup in its first year and back to the final this past season. He helped to develop multiple current first-team players, including goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, center back Philip Quinton, wing back Will Sands, midfielder Sean Zawdzki and forward Jacen Russell-Rowe.
Prior to taking over as Crew 2 head coach, Courtois held the position of head coach for the club’s Under-19 Academy after a 16-year career as a player.
Additionally, Coutois worked as an assistant coach for the LA Galaxy, as well as serving as the head coach for Olympique Lyonnais Academy in France, where he also was a player. Courtois also served as the OL Under-17 assistant coach.
His playing career saw Courtois spend time in Spain with Levante UD, as well as AC Ajaccio, Toulouse FC, FC Istres, Grenoble Foot 38 in France. He then made a move to England, playing at West Ham United before joining former MLS side Chivas USA and then the Galaxy. Courtois served as the player-coach for the Galaxy II during its inaugural season in 2014. Courtois scored 32 goals during his playing career, making 349 appearances.
During his time as the Crew 2 head coach, Courtois guided the Black & Gold to a 16-3-5 record gaining 55 points, the best in the regular season in 2022. That year, Courtois was also named Coach of the Year for MLS NEXT Pro.
Courtois is not the only Crew 2 staff member who has garnered interest this offseason. After the success of the Black & Gold’s reserve team in its first two years, MLS clubs have looked into the hiring of names such as Crew general manager Corey Wray, as well as others who have built not only a successful reserve team but worked under Tim Bezbatchenko to win two MLS Cups in four seasons.
Patrick Murphy contributed to this report.
MASSIVE REPORT 
Mais il n’y a rien sur le webpage de l’Impact. {ahem} Sorry. You posted this yesterday and _The Dispatch_ reported they had confirmed it as well but there is still no official word from the Montréal team or the league. Without revealing sources has there been a snag in the signing? Coach Courtois certainly earned the opportunity to coach an MLS side but (my 2¢) he deserves a better ownership/front office than Montréal.
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