CF Montréal in Crisis: Head Coach Marco Donadel Dismissed After Poor Start to 2026 Season

CF Montréal is facing a turbulent start to the 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) season, culminating in the abrupt dismissal of head coach Marco Donadel. The club, which has transitioned through various identities since its founding in 1992, now finds itself struggling for stability both on the pitch and on the sidelines.

Immediate Coaching Change

Luca Saputo, the Director Principal of Recruitment and Sporting Methodology, announced that Marco Donadel has been relieved of his duties as head coach, effective immediately. The decision follows a difficult opening stretch of the season, with the club parting ways with Donadel just seven matches into the 2026 campaign.

To ensure continuity during this transition, Philippe Eullaffroy has been appointed as the interim head coach. Eullaffroy will lead the team until the organization hires a permanent replacement.

A Struggling Start to 2026

The decision to change leadership comes amidst a dismal run of form. According to MLSsoccer.com, CF Montréal currently sits 14th in the Eastern Conference, having secured only three points in their first seven matches. This “ugly start” to the season has left the team near the bottom of the overall league standings, currently ranked 28th out of 30 teams.

Key Takeaways: The Current State of CF Montréal

• Leadership Shift: Marco Donadel is out; Philippe Eullaffroy is the interim head coach.
• Conference Standing: 13th of 15 in the Eastern Conference.
• Overall Standing: 28th of 30 teams league-wide.
• Immediate Goal: The club is actively seeking a permanent head coach to stabilize the season.

Club History and Evolution

Founded on December 10, 1992, as the Montreal Impact, the club has a storied history in Canadian soccer. They joined MLS in 2012 as the league’s nineteenth franchise. Over the years, the club has achieved significant milestones, including being the first Canadian club to reach the CONCACAF Champions League final in 2015.

The club has also dominated domestically, winning the Voyageurs Cup 11 times. However, recent years have been marked by rebranding efforts—moving from the Montreal Impact to Club de Foot Montréal in 2021, and eventually to the current CF Montréal identity in 2023 following pressure from supporters and local media.

Looking Ahead

The pressure is now on the front office to identify a permanent head coach who can reverse the current downward trend. With the team struggling for points and sitting in the lower tiers of the Eastern Conference, the priority is to find a tactical leader capable of maximizing the current roster’s potential and restoring the club’s competitiveness in MLS.