NEW YORK, February 1, 2024 – New York City FC today announced Leon Hapgood as a new Assistant Coach. Hapgood will join up with Head Coach Nick Cushing’s coaching staff ahead of the 2024 MLS season, pending the receipt of a P-1 Visa.
Hapgood has spent the last two seasons as the Technical Director of Canadian Premier League team Cavalry FC. The English native helped guide the team to its second Canadian Premier League Shield in 2023. Hapgood previously served as the Assistant Coach of Cavalry FC from 2019 through 2021.
Cushing and Hapgood first met 13 years ago during Cushing’s Manchester City Academy days when he traveled to Canada to collaborate with Hapgood’s Calgary Foothills. Since then, the two have stayed close as they continued their coaching careers and completed coaching qualifications together. Both are now excited to be working together in New York ahead of this season.
“We are delighted to welcome Leon to New York,” Sporting Director David Lee said. “We wanted to add some additional experiences into our coaching group ahead of the 2024 season and we believe Leon’s extensive background across all aspects of professional football in North America; from working with youth talents and developing their potential to being an Assistant Coach and helping Cavalry FC to win two CPL Shields will be a great addition to our staff. Leon and Nick also have a relationship dating back over 10 years so we believe there will be a quick integration into our coaching staff with our season around the corner. We are really excited for Leon to join the Club and for him to use his experience to add to Nick’s already talented coaching staff and we’re confident he can develop the team’s talent and help the players reach their full potential.”
Before joining Cavalry FC, Hapgood started his coaching career at Calgary Foothills in 2008. He served as the club’s Assistant Coach for 10 years before being promoted to Technical Director. While at Calgary Foothills, Hapgood oversaw the development of hundreds of players and coaches. Prior to his coaching career, Hapgood was a former professional player for English team Torquay United. As a player, he was renowned for his footballing intelligence and his attack-minded approach to the game.
“I am excited to be joining one of the best clubs in Major League Soccer. New York City Football Club has the ambition to win championships year after year,” Assistant Coach Leon Hapgood said. “Developing players is my passion and I look forward to working with Head Coach Nick Cushing and his staff to help mold the future of the Club. I am very familiar with the team’s style of play and that suits my coaching philosophy. I arrive with a lot of enthusiasm, and my aim is to get this Club get back to where it belongs, with a successful season this year and beyond.”
Everyone at the Club would like to welcome Leon to New York as we embark on our new season which kicks off away to Charlotte FC on Saturday, February 24th.
