Leon Hapgood was named assistant coach for New York City FC on February 1, 2024.
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.
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.