Columbus Crew announces additions to Coaching Staff

COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew today announced additions to the First Team coaching staff. Joining Head Coach Wilfried Nancy are Assistant Coaches Kwame Ampadu [pronounced: AHM-pah-doo] and Yoann Damet [pronounced: yo-ahn dah-maeh]; Goalkeeper Coach Phil Boerger [pronounced: burger]; Assistant Coach and Fitness Coach Jules Gueguen [pronounced: gae-gain], and Video Performance Coach Maxime Chalier [pronounced: shal-lee-ay].

“We would like to welcome Kwame, Yoann, Jules and Maxime to Columbus,” said Columbus Crew President & General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “We are also proud to announce Phil’s promotion. He was instrumental in Crew 2’s defensive successes during their championship run and we are excited to see him join the First Team. With the addition of Wilfried and the new members of the coaching staff, we have assembled a strong group that will lead the team and foster a winning culture within our locker room.”

“I am thrilled to have the full coaching staff in place as we embark on this journey together,” said Head Coach Wilfried Nancy. “I know that each member of the team brings unique strengths that complement each other, and I look forward to working hand-in-hand with Kwame, Yoann, Phil, Jules and Maxime as we work towards bringing another trophy to Columbus.”

Kwame Ampadu - Assistant Coach

Ampadu joins the Black & Gold after previously serving as a First Team Assistant Coach for CF Montreal from 2020-22 and French Ligue 1 side AS Monaco from 2018-19.     

Holding a UEFA A license, Ampadu began his coaching career in England with Exeter City FC’s U-18 team from 2008-12. Ampadu then made the move to Arsenal’s Academy, working with the U-14, U-16 and U-18 teams from 2012-18 before joining Monaco.   

Born in England, the midfielder began his professional playing career 1988 with Arsenal, and subsequently represented Plymouth Argyle, West Brom Albion, Swansea City, Leyton Orient, Exeter City, Newport Country and Tiberton. He retired in 2006 after appearing in more than 450 professional games over the course of his 18-year playing career.   

At the international level, he earned four caps for the Republic of Ireland’s U-21 side.

Yoann Damet - Assistant Coach

Damet comes to Columbus after spending the 2022 season with the LA Galaxy, where he was LA Galaxy II’s head coach prior to being promoted to First Team Assistant Coach on Aug 26.   

Before making the move west, Damet was a member of FC Cincinnati’s coaching staff from 2017-21, serving as an assistant coach and interim head coach in 2019-20.   

Damet began his coaching career at just 16-years-old in his native France, spending four seasons with Beaune FC (2006-11). He additionally coached Jura Sud Foot (2011-13) and Dijon FCO (2013-14) before joining the CF Montreal Academy in 2014. The 32-year-old holds USSF Pro, UEFA A and Canadian Soccer Association A licenses.  

The Crew agreed to terms with the LA Galaxy, compensating the team an undisclosed amount for the release and ability to negotiate with Damet.

Phil Boerger - Goalkeeper Coach

Boerger joined the Crew 2 coaching staff at the start of 2022. In the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season, goalkeepers Patrick Schulte and Brady Scott combined for a league-best clean sheets (12) and recorded a league-low goals against (22). Schulte was named MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Year and captured Best XI honors, en route to helping Crew 2 securing the first-ever MLS NEXT Pro Cup on Oct. 8.

Prior to his time in Columbus, Boerger served as the goalkeeper coach for Toronto FC II from 2016-2021. He began his coaching journey as an assistant coach at the collegiate level, including stints at Florida Gulf Coast University, Georgia Southern University and Syracuse University.   

A native of North Dakota, Boerger played collegiately at the University of Evansville from 2008-10 and spent his senior year with Syracuse in 2011.

Jules Gueguen - Assistant Coach/Fitness Coach

Gueguen joins the Black & Gold from CF Montreal, where he served as First Team Fitness Coach from 2020-22. He joined Montreal Academy as Assistant Fitness Coach in 2016 before being promoted to Senior Academy Fitness Coach in 2018. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physical activity intervention from UQAM and a master’s degree in science, sports science and sports psychology from Lund University in Sweden. Gueguen holds a B License from the Canadian Soccer Association.

Maxime Chalier - Video Performance Coach

Additionally joining the Crew from CF Montreal, Chalier most recently served as First Team Video Analyst from 2020-22. Prior to that, Chalier was the Academy Video Analyst from 2018-20. Chalier previously served as an assistant coach and Assistant Technical Director for Canadian side FC Gatineau. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sports Performance from Paris 12 University and a master’s degree in sports science and performance from Lyon 1 University in France. Chalier holds a B license from the Canadian Soccer Association.  

Crew players are currently in South Florida for the first trip of the preseason, where the Black & Gold will train in Port St. Lucie from Jan. 16-27. The Crew returns to Columbus and will train in-market from Jan. 28 – Feb. 5, before heading to Fort Lauderdale for the second trip of the preseason (Feb. 6-18).      

The Black & Gold are set to open the 2023 MLS season on the road against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, Feb. 25 and hosts D.C. United for the home opener at Lower.com Field on Saturday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET.     

Single-game tickets are now on-sale for the general public and are available here.     

Soccer fans looking to experience Crew matches have a number of options as Season Ticket Membership for the 2023 season, which are currently on sale, includes benefits such as a subscription to Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, exclusive, member-only events, a discount at the Crew Shop, monthly, interest free payment plans, the ability to purchase discounted parking, pre-sale access to all events at Lower.com Field, Historic Crew Stadium and FirstEnergy Stadium, and a dedicated account manager and service representative. Fans interested in purchasing Season Ticket Memberships are encouraged to call 614-447-2739, email seasontickets@columbuscrew.com, or visit www.columbuscrew.com/tickets/memberships to get connected with a Season Ticket Member representative.