Former NYCFC head coach Ronny Deila is moving to Club Brugge

New York City FC fans have a lot of appreciation for the former head coach, Ronny Deila.  His tenure with the Pigeons was certainly a rollercoaster ride, but he led the team to the first MLS Cup.  Plus, before he left last summer, the team was playing well and in first place in the Eastern Conference. 

As such, it was not shocking that the former Celtic F.C. boss made the jump back to Europe again when he took over Standard de Liège less than a year ago.  He ended up leading the Belgian side to a sixth place finish after they finished in fourteenth the previous campaign. 

Now, with only a year on the job, it was announced Deila will be the new manager of Club Brugge KV, one of the top clubs in Belgium.  He has not even been gone a year and he is already moving to his second team since leaving NYCFC. 

Former NYCFC head coach Ronny Deila is on the move again

It is somewhat surprising, especially since he only led Standard for one year.  At the same time, there was never any question that Deila had the big European dreams, and wanted to return to the top clubs.  Plus, the opening was there, for his new team needed a manager since they sacked Scott Parker in March. 

Additionally, NYCFC supporters knew they would not have the Norwegian for long, but it was disappointing he left when the Pigeons were doing well in the middle of the season.  Since his departure, the Bronx side has struggled somewhat, despite making a run back to the Eastern Conference Finals last season.  This season has been a struggle so far too, but the majority of the difficult times have come on the road.  Deila was not a stranger to the road woes too, so there is no guarantee the club would be in a better position at this time.

Of course, European leagues usually play from August to May, while Major League Soccer starts around March and goes through the end of the year with the playoffs.  Deila had to make the jump when he did, for if he were to leave at the end of the MLS year, then there would be less desirable openings for a managerial position.   

It is good though that the former NYCFC head coach is climbing back up.  He deserves every chance he gets, and again, Brugge is one of the best teams in Belgium.  If he can find success there, then likely Deila will find himself on the move again sooner, rather than later.

Deila’s time with New York City FC will always be treasured, but hopefully he will continue to have success once he officially moves to Brugge.