Gerard Nijkamp’s tenure as general manager of FC Cincinnati has come to an end.
The club announced Friday afternoon that it would “part ways” with Nijkamp, who’d been with FC Cincinnati since 2019.
“I would like to thank Gerard for his commitment and dedication to FC Cincinnati. Gerard has been a key leader in the development in our project — opening of TQL Stadium, improving the roster, player development from the Academy to the first team, and building a broader soccer infrastructure that positions us for success in the future,” Jeff Berding, president of FC Cincinnati, said in an Aug. 6 news release. “We sincerely appreciate Gerard’s efforts over the past two years and respect his decision to return to his family in Europe. We wish him and his family the best of luck moving forward. With a significant portion of the season remaining, our focus is on improving our play on the pitch and earning a playoff spot. Our search for Gerard’s successor will begin immediately and focus on identifying the leader that best aligns with our ambition to win a championship in Major League Soccer.”
Likewise, Nijkamp notes the opportunity to return to Europe. Nijkamp originally is from the Netherlands.
“I’m proud of the foundation we have here and all the hard work everyone has put into it,” Nijkamp says. “I will always be thankful to ownership and leadership for the chance to serve this club. While this has been an exciting opportunity, I have decided to pursue positions closer to my family. I wish the team the best moving forward.”
Since Nijkamp came aboard on May 30, 2019, FC Cincinnati has earned a 7-20-10 record. Like other club leaders, the Dutch manager led FCC through a stonewalled 2020 season thanks to a global coronavirus pandemic.
For the 2021 season, FC Cincinnati is currently 3-6-7.
The team’s next match will be against Orlando City SC at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.
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This article appears in Aug 5-17, 2021.