Chicago Fire II Part Ways With Head Coach Ludovic Taillandier

Despite making the MLS Next Pro playoffs in each of the last two seasons, Chicago Fire II has parted ways with head coach Ludovic Taillandier after three seasons in charge.

“As we begin to focus on next season and our long-term objectives, we felt it was the right time to make a change in leadership,” Chicago Fire FC II General Manager Alex Boler said in the announcement. “I’d like to thank Ludo for all his hard work and contributions to the Club, not only as the first head coach of Fire II, but throughout his entire five-year tenure with the organization. He is a true professional and I wish him nothing but the best for the future.”

Taillandier initially joined the organization in 2019 and coached the Fire’s U-19 side that won the 2021 MLS Next Cup. He then became the Fire II head coach in the first MLS Next Pro season and helped lead the reserves squad to the MLS Next Pro playoffs in 2023 and 2024, ensuring that his Fire II teams finished further each season he was in charge.

Joe’s thoughts:

This move isn’t that shocking considering the complete overhaul of the front office under new Director of Football and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter, particularly if the former USMNT boss has a specific style he wants the Fire’s reserve side playing.

Taillandier will be an attractive coaching candidate for clubs throughout North America and he reportedly turned down an offer to coach CF Montréal’s MLS Next Pro side last offseason. I don’t imagine he will be without a job for long after doing a wonderful job navigating a Fire II squad that was constantly rotating in Fire Academy products, particularly after some of their players departed for college in the summer.