Earlier today, Detroit City FC named Danny Dichio its new Head Coach. The Englishman will lead the Michigan side that made its second-straight postseason appearance in 2023, upsetting number-one seed Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in the conference quarterfinals.
Dichio joined Republic FC’s technical staff ahead of the 2022 season. He spent the 2021 season as an assistant coach for Toronto FC II in USL League One. Before joining the second team side, he was a head coach for the club’s academy, moving multiple players on to collegiate soccer or the professional ranks. He began his coaching career in 2009 when he joined Toronto FC as a team ambassador and academy coach.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Sacramento Republic working with a fantastic group of players that brought great success to the club for the past two seasons,” said Dichio. “I wish nothing but the best for the club and its fans in the future, and thank them for understanding my desire to become a head coach.”
“This is an exciting opportunity for Danny and one that he deserves,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “He has played a significant role in helping our club reach monumental heights over the past two seasons, including a U.S. Open Cup Final appearance and a 2023 Western Conference regular season title. We wish Danny nothing but the best as he takes on this new challenge.”
Prior to coaching, Dichio played professionally in his native England, as well as in Ireland and Italy, featuring for West Bromwich Albion in the EFL Championship, U.C. Sampdoria in Italy’s Serie A, and Sunderland A.F.C. in the Irish Premier League. He later joined Toronto FC for their inaugural MLS season in 2007, going on to become a club legend by scoring the first goal in club history against Chicago Fire. He was teammates in Toronto with Republic FC President & General Manager Todd Dunivant in 2007-08.
With Republic FC, Dichio played an integral role in building the rosters for two standout campaigns – including the club’s historic appearance in the 2022 U.S. Open Cup Final. In 2023, the club was the Western Conference regular season champion, setting new club single season records across the board, including goals scored, clean sheets, fewest goals conceded, and home wins. Across the two seasons that Dichio has been with Republic FC, the club has an overall record of 44 wins, 21 losses, and 18 draws.
The move to Detroit will be Dichio’s first USL Championship head coaching role, and he will be just the second USL coach for Le Rouge as former Head Coach and General Manager Trevor James becomes the club’s first-ever Sporting Director.
Dichio is the latest among several Republic FC academy staff and first team coaches that have taken a professional step forward following their time in Sacramento. Most recently, 2021 goalkeeper coach Matt Glaeser took his first Head Coach job with USL League One side Forward Madison, leading the club to a second postseason berth in 2023.
On behalf of the Republic FC, we wish Danny and the entire Dichio family the best of luck in Detroit. Forever Republic.
