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Sanna’s Impact name Marco Schällibaum as head coach

Jan 10, 2013, 9:10 AM | Article By: Sainabou Kijabi-Njie

Gambia international Sanna Nyassi Major Soccer League side Montreal Impact have named 50-year-old Marco Schallibaum as new coach. 

He is said to have stints at the helm of several clubs in the Swiss Super League.

After an extensive search to replace Jesse Marsch, who left the club by mutual agreement last November, the Impact have appointed Marco Schällibaum as the team’s new head coach, according to goal.com

Nyassi is among Impact’s 2013 roster and part of the players from the 13 players former coach Jesse Marsch had acquired from the expansion draft and the first trades a year ago.

The Gambia midfielder scored a total of 6 goals in 28 MLS matches last season.

“I am very pleased and proud to be the head coach of the Montreal Impact,” Schällibaum said in a statement.

“From our very first discussion, I felt confident with the management. The club is passionate about the game, like me, and is made up of people who are passionate as well and who want to go in the same direction.

“I watched a few of the team’s games from last season on video. We have a good roster with quality players and I saw a lot of characters on the field. I will do all I can to help this team win.”

The 50-year-old Schällibaum is a veteran of the Swiss leagues, having coached top-tier sides FC Basel, BSC Young Boys, Servette FC, FC Sion, FC Schaffhausen and AC Bellinzona.

His last managerial experience was with second-division outfit FC Lugano, where he served as boss through the 2010-11 season.

Schällibaum was most recently serving as a FIFA-appointed coaching instructor in Qatar, Mongolia and South Korea.

The Impact hope that his experience with many different cultures will translate to the unique North American game.