CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati announced on Friday night that Head Coach John Harkes had been relieved of his duties, and that former Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 Head Coach Alan Koch – who had joined Harkes’ staff this offseason – would take his place for the club’s second season in the USL.

“After careful consideration of what is in the best interest of the FC Cincinnati organization, I have decided to relieve John Harkes of his duties as FCC head coach, effective immediately," said  FCC President and General Manager Jeff Berding. "We wish John all the best and thank him for his efforts in our inaugural year. We believe we have an exciting team and look forward to a special season with our fans at Nippert Stadium."

A member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Harkes led FC Cincinnati to a third-place finish in the USL’s Eastern Conference in its inaugural season before the side was upset in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2016 USL Cup Playoffs by the Charleston Battery.

Koch joined FC Cincinnati this offseason after leading WFC2 to the Western Conference Final of the 2016 USL Cup Playoffs. Vancouver finished sixth in the Western Conference standings, but earned victories on the road against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and at home to OKC Energy FC before falling to Western Conference Champion the Swope Park Rangers to end their second season.

A native of South Africa, Koch had previously led Vancouver-area Simon Fraser University to a remarkable run of success, including reaching the NCAA Division II Final Four in 2012, the first Canadian team to achieve the feat.