Josep Gombau has ties with former Spanish international and NYCFC forward David Villa. (Photos courtesy of Queensboro FC)
By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor
Without playing a game, Queensboro FC already is looking for a new coach and sporting director.
Josep Gombau, who was hired as head coach by the USL Championship club in 2020, has signed a two-year deal with Odisha FC of the Indian Super League.
The 46-year-old Gombau directed Odisha FC during the 2019-20 season.
“After two years, the team will return to Odisha,” he said on khelmow.com. “We are back home. We have the responsibility to make the fans who come to the Kalinga Stadium enjoy our football. We will need the support of all the fans.”
It was not known why Gombau left the Queens club.
There was no press release or announcement on the Queensboro FC website as to when or why Gombau resigned from Queensboro FC.
The team was asked for a comment but did get back to FrontRowSoccer.com by 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Gombau was hired by Queensboro FC on July 6, 2020.
“Josep’s world-class vision, leadership and reputation is exactly what our organization, and professional soccer in America, needs,” team co-owner Jonathan Krane said in a statement at the time. “He has been widely credited with successfully attracting and developing young talent, which is very much a part of the Queensboro FC mission. In addition, his winning mindset perfectly complements the competitive mindset of New Yorkers, and we can’t wait for him to start building our very first team.”
Gombau lived in Queens from 2015-2016, working as technical director for Queensboro FC co-owner and former New York City FC forward David Villa and his DV7 Soccer Academy.
“I have followed Josep’s career for a very long time and had the opportunity to work with him to create the methodology of my DV7 Soccer Academies globally, as well as launch my very first academy in New York,” Villa said in a statement in 2020. “He is the perfect choice for Queensboro FC and I am happy to welcome him back to New York. Together, we will oversee all sporting aspects of the club, laying the groundwork for us to succeed at the highest level and be recognized all over the world. For certain, a coach of this caliber will help take soccer in this country to a new level.”
Since a major press conference on April 21, 2021 that announced the team’s plans to build a multi-purpose 7,500-seat stadium onthe campus of York College in Jamaica, N.Y., Queensboro FC has been silent as to its plans.
The team has gotten off to a stumbling start.
Twice Queensboro has pushed back its inaugural season. In July 2020, the club announced it would kick off in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Nov. 2, 2021, the USL Championship said that Queensboro would move its start back to 2023 “to allow for proper planning and preparations.”
And now it needs to look for a new coach.
FrontRowSoccer.com editor Michael Lewis has written a new book, ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. You can learn more about it or purchase it here:
