By OrangeCountySoccer.com Staff,

IRVINE, Calif. (November 27, 2017) - Orange County Soccer Club announced the addition of world renowned coach Frans Hoek as the Club’s Technical Director and Senior Advisor. Hoek began working with the Club on coaching strategy, player development and scouting in April of 2017. Throughout the season, Hoek advised and evaluated Orange County SC’s technical staff, providing the Club with his wealth of knowledge and decades of training methods he implemented at AFC Ajax, FC Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona and Manchester United.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for me to guide the Club on a deeper, more advanced level as it continues its program of building a world class soccer organization and developing talented young players,” said Hoek. “I look forward to working side-by-side with the technical staff in recruiting and progressing gifted players who are able to compete at the elite professional level expected by both Orange County SC and the best leagues in the world.” said Hoek.

Hoek began his distinguished career as a goalkeeper in top flight Dutch football. Thirteen years later, the 28-year-old Hoek received his first coaching opportunity with AFC Ajax. Hoek’s prominent coaching career which spans over 30 years, has expanded across elite teams such as AFC Ajax, FC Barcelona, FC Bayern Munich, Manchester United FC and the Dutch national team. He has won titles across Europe ranging from the Bundesliga to the Champions League and has coached some of the most influential players of this generation such as Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Rivaldo.

“We are privileged to have a man of Frans’ stature join our technical staff on a more permanent basis as we look to build a highly competitive team that will pursue championships and take advantage of the wealth of exceptional soccer talent in Orange County,” said General Manager and Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations, Oliver Wyss. “Frans brings invaluable experience and insight that will further enhance the on-field product as we continue to grow professional soccer in Orange County.”

Hoek recently spent a full week with Orange County SC’s technical staff analyzing the Club’s 2017 season. Moving forward, Hoek will play an integral day to day role in the development and implementation of the technical curriculum for both the first team and Orange County SC’s youth affiliates as Orange County SC continues to develop a clear pathway to professional soccer within the community.

Orange County SC also announced today that the Club and Head Coach Logan Pause had mutually agreed to part ways.

“On behalf of the entire organization, we thank Logan for his contributions to Orange County Soccer Club and wish him and his family all the best in their future endeavors,” said Wyss.

The Club is in the advanced stages of the process in appointing Pause’s successor.

ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY SOCCER CLUB:

The Orange County Soccer Club is Orange County’s only Professional Soccer Team. The club was one of 12 founding members of the new United Soccer League (USL) in its inaugural 2011 season. The predecessor club Orange County Blues were the 2015 Western Conference Regular Season Champions and have reached the Western Conference Semi-finals of the USL Playoffs in back-to-back seasons. The club’s owner, James Keston, is the Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, who will actively oversee all operations of the USL club in Orange County. Keston is dedicated to transforming the club into a world-class professional soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players, and youth clubs of Orange County.

For more information about Orange County Soccer Club visit: http://www.orangecountysoccer.com.

Contact: Kelly Salmieri: Senior Vice President, Corporate Partnerships and Public Relations, [email protected], 805.844.0856