LAFC Fired Marc Dos Santos After Performance Slump
The club appointed assistant coach Xavi Tamarit to lead the team as interim head coach for the rest of the season.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Soccer
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LAFC dismissed head coach Marc Dos Santos following a significant winless stretch in MLS play. Assistant coach Xavi Tamarit has been named interim head coach to lead the squad through the remainder of the season.
Why it matters
The organization cited a lack of performance clarity, noting that the current roster underperformed relative to its established capabilities. The team aims to restore expectations after a difficult run of results.
LAFC currently holds an 11-9-8 record with 41 total points. The club finished the tenure of Marc Dos Santos with a 17-10-12 record across all competitions.
The players
Marc Dos Santos
He is the former head coach of LAFC who finished his tenure with a 17-10-12 record.
Xavi Tamarit
He is the 44-year-old assistant coach who has been appointed as the interim head coach for LAFC.
LAFC
This is a Los Angeles-based professional soccer club that competes in Major League Soccer.
Vancouver Whitecaps
This is a professional soccer club that holds a 15-7-5 record and 50 points heading into their upcoming match against LAFC.
The details
The decision to remove Dos Santos occurred less than 24 hours after a 1-0 loss to FC Dallas. Interim head coach Xavi Tamarit, 44, is now tasked with shifting the team strategy to prioritize high-field pressing and improved ball possession.
Timeline
December 2025: Marc Dos Santos was promoted from assistant coach.
August 2026: The team began a 1-4-5 regular-season record stretch.
October 10, 2026: Article publication date.
October 11, 2026: LAFC plays the Vancouver Whitecaps at BMO Stadium.
Season Trajectory
This coaching change resets the leadership focus for the remainder of the 2026 campaign while establishing a clear timeline for the 2027 MLS season hiring cycle. The transition aims to stabilize the squad's performance amidst a congested table.
Fans should monitor the team's tactical shift toward high-field pressing in the upcoming match against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The club will also manage roster availability as players like Timothy Tillman and Jeremy Ebobisee recover from injuries.
The takeaway
The move represents a decisive effort by the organization to correct a mid-season slump under new interim leadership. Tactical adjustments under Tamarit could signal a change in the team's identity heading into the final matches of the year.
What happens next
Xavi Tamarit will serve as interim head coach through the conclusion of the 2026 season, with a permanent head coach to be hired before the start of the 2027 MLS season.
Further reading
For more on local professional soccer developments, visit the Soccer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Bernardino Sun.
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