Bobby Smyrniotis

Bobby Smyrniotis
Smyrniotis in 2023
Personal information
Full name Haralambos Smyrniotis
Date of birth (1979-04-24) April 24, 1979 (age 45)[1]
Place of birth Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
Team information
Current team
 Forge FC (head coach)
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Charleston Cougars
York Lions
Managerial career
2003–2004 Olympiacos (academy)
2005–2018 Sigma FC
2018– Forge FC

Haralambos "Bobby" Smyrniotis (born April 24, 1979) is a Canadian soccer coach and former player who works as head coach of Forge FC of the Canadian Premier League. Smyrniotis is the co-founder of the Sigma FC soccer academy based in Mississauga.

Playing career

Smyrniotis played for the College of Charleston and York University.[2]

Coaching career

Early career

In 2003 and 2004, Smyrniotis was a coach in the academy system of Olympiacos.[3] He co-founded Sigma FC, and was the team's head coach from 2005 to 2018.[4]

Forge FC

2019 season

On October 1, 2018, Smyrniotis was announced as the first head coach and technical director of Canadian Premier League club Forge FC.[5] During the 2019 season, Forge finished in second place during the Spring and Fall Seasons, both times behind Cavalry FC.[6][7] He became the first coach to win the Canadian Premier League when Forge defeated Cavalry FC in the 2019 Canadian Premier League Finals.[8] Also during the 2019 season, Forge were knocked out in the second qualifying round of the Canadian Championship.[9] They also played in the CONCACAF League where they were knocked out in the Round of 16.[10]

2020–present

Smyrniotis returned to coach Forge FC for the 2020 season. The 2020 Canadian Premier League season was played in three rounds.[11] Forge qualified for the next round after finishing the first round in third place[12] then qualified for the championship match after finishing in first place in the second round.[13] Forge repeated as league champions after a 2–0 win in the Championship final against HFX Wanderers.[14]

In the 2021 CONCACAF League, Smyrniotis guided Forge FC to the semi-finals, qualifying the club for the CONCACAF Champions League for the first time in its history.[15]

In May 2023, Smyrniotis signed a four-year contract extension with Forge. He also became the club's sporting director in addition to his role as head coach.[16] In 2024, Smyrniotis was nominated for Canadian Premier League Coach of the Year for a sixth consecutive season,[17] ultimately winning the award for the first time.[18][19]

Coaching statistics

As of game played November 9, 2024
Team From To Record Ref.
M W D L GF GA GD Win %
Sigma FC 2014 September 30, 2018 117 72 24 21 238 135 +103 061.54
Forge FC October 1, 2018 present 198 100 42 56 294 195 +99 050.51 [5][6][7][9][10][11]
Total 315 172 66 77 532 330 +202 054.60 —

Personal life

Born in Canada, Smyrniotis is of Greek descent.[20] He received a Specialized Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Kinesiology & Health Science from York University and a Master of Science degree in Sports Management from the University of Louisville.[5]

Bobby and his brother Costa Smyrniotis were both co-founders of Sigma FC. The brothers also worked together at Forge FC where Costa was the director of football until 2023.[21]

Honours

Coach

Forge FC

References

  1. ^ "Forge FC roster". Forge FC. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  2. ^ "Forge FC Bobby Smyrniotis named Forge FC technical director and head coach". National Post. The Canadian Press. October 1, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  3. ^ Milton, Steve (October 1, 2018). "Opinion | Bobby Smyrniotis named first Forge FC coach". TheSpec.com. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  4. ^ Urciuoli, Anthony (October 1, 2018). "Forge FC names first-ever head coach". Global News. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  5. ^ a b c "Forge FC names Bobby Smyrniotis club's first ever technical director and head coach". forgefc.canpl.ca. October 1, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  6. ^ a b "Canada » Premier League 2019 Spring Season » 3. Round". World Football. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Canada » Premier League 2019 Fall Season » 4. Round". World Football. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  8. ^ O’Connor-Clarke, Charlie (November 2, 2019). "Forge FC crowned CPL champions in win over Cavalry". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  9. ^ a b "Canada » Canadian Championship 2019 » Schedule". World Football. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Forge FC » Fixtures & Results 2019/2020". World Football. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  11. ^ a b "Forge FC » Fixtures & Results 2020/2021". World Football. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  12. ^ "Canada » Premier League 2020 First Stage » 2. Round". World Football. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  13. ^ "Canada » Premier League 2020 Group Stage » 3. Round". World Football. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  14. ^ "Canada » Premier League 2020 Championship » Final". World Football. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  15. ^ "Forge FC advance to SF, qualify for Concacaf Champions League with resounding Leg 2 win vs. Santos". Forge FC. November 2, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  16. ^ O'Connor Clarke, Charlie (May 1, 2023). "Bobby Smyrniotis signs extension with Forge FC, role expanded to head coach & sporting director". OneSoccer. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  17. ^ "Mora, Smyrniotis, Wheeldon Jr. Nominated for 2024 Canadian Premier League Coach of the Year Award". Canadian Premier League. November 1, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  18. ^ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (November 7, 2024). "Forge FC's Bobby Smyrniotis named 2024 CPL Coach of the Year". Canadian Premier League.
  19. ^ Milton, Steve (November 8, 2024). "Borges first repeat Player of Year; Smyrniotis finally named coach of the year; Poku chosen top U-21". Forge FC.
  20. ^ Davidson, Neil (October 20, 2020). "Forge FC coach Bobby Smyrniotis' influence on Canadian soccer continues to grow". CFJC Today Kamloops. The Canadian Press. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  21. ^ "Forge FC executive Costa Smyrniotis joins Canadian Premier League front office - Hamilton". Global News. The Canadian Press. April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023.

Further reading