CF Montreal have terminated the contract of head coach Marco Donadel, the club confirmed in an official statement released on Sunday. This decisive action comes in the wake of a 2-1 defeat to the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, a result that leaves Montreal languishing at the bottom of the Major League Soccer standings, sharing the dubious honour with just three points accrued so far this campaign.
Interim Appointment and Coaching Changes
Philippe Eullaffroy has been named as the interim head coach, tasked with steering the team until a permanent replacement is secured. Eullaffroy, who originally founded the club's academy in 2010 and returned earlier this year as an assistant coach, brings a deep familiarity with the organisation. In a brief announcement, the club emphasised that his role is temporary, pending the hiring of a new permanent leader.
A History of Managerial Instability
Donadel's departure underscores a persistent pattern of short managerial tenures at CF Montreal. Since the club joined MLS in 2012, no manager has lasted more than 92 matches, with Mauro Biello holding that record. The recent trend has been even more stark: each of the last three managers, including Donadel, has been in charge for 40 games or fewer. This instability began after Wilfried Nancy left for the Columbus Crew, highlighting ongoing challenges in maintaining consistent leadership.
Donadel's tenure was marked by limited success, with only seven wins in 42 matches across all competitions, or eight if including a penalty shootout victory over Toronto FC in the Canadian Championship. This poor record follows a similarly dismal start under previous coach Laurent Courtois, who was fired in March of last year after a sluggish beginning to the season.
Season Struggles and Roster Issues
Montreal have been among the weakest performers in MLS this season, building on a disappointing 2025 campaign where they finished tied for second-worst in the league. The 2026 offseason did little to inspire confidence, with minimal impactful player acquisitions. The most significant addition was defender Brayan Vera, acquired from Real Salt Lake for $1.2 million in general allocation money, while other signings like Iván Jaime and Frankie Amaya arrived on loan, offering temporary solutions rather than long-term stability.
On the pitch, the team has conceded 19 goals in their first seven matches, with their sole victory being a 3-0 win against the New York Red Bulls. This defensive frailty has compounded their struggles, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning the club's competitive edge in an increasingly financially demanding MLS landscape.
Broader Staff Departures and Future Challenges
Donadel is not the only casualty of this turbulent period. The club also announced the dismissal of assistant coaches Jacopo Falaga and Lorenzo Pinzauti, leaving Eullaffroy with a depleted coaching staff as Montreal prepare to host the New York Red Bulls next weekend. This exodus of key personnel adds another layer of difficulty to an already challenging situation, raising concerns about the team's ability to regroup and improve in the coming weeks.
Under the ownership of Joey Saputo, CF Montreal have long grappled with adapting to the evolving financial realities of MLS, often struggling to compete with better-resourced rivals. The current crisis reflects deeper systemic issues that extend beyond mere coaching changes, suggesting a need for strategic overhaul to achieve sustained success in the league.
