Timbers2 head coach Shannon Murray is headed to France. MLS announced that 25 coaches will be taking part in the Elite Formation Coaching License (EFCL) program in partnership with the French Football Federation (FFF).
This is the fifth group of MLS coaches to participate in the highly regarded and rigorous course, which has already had a substantial impact on MLS player development. The seven-week program, which will take place over 18 months starting on February 1, will include club observations at teams such as Arsenal, Le Havre AC, and AS Monaco. It will also include two regional camps for field instruction and candidate evaluation.
Notable graduates of the program include current MLS head coaches Nico Estévez, Luchi Gonzalez, Wilfried Nancy, and Greg Vanney. This iteration of the program also includes San Jose Earthquakes academy head coach Erin Ridley, the first woman from MLS to participate in the program.
Fred Lipka, MLS Vice President of Player and Youth Development, expressed his enthusiasm for the candidates of the program, noting that they will “become not just experts in the player development field, but also leaders in their club and soccer communities."
Read the full press release here.
