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Canada hires former MLS coach Octavio Zambrano as manager

Canada has hired former MLS coach Octavio Zambrano as national team manager.

"We are very excited to welcome Octavio to Canada Soccer after our extensive search for a new head coach to lead our program into the next cycle of FIFA World Cup qualifiers," said Canada Soccer president Victor Montagliani via statement.

"Canada deserves to have its men's national team program perform on a consistent basis and Octavio's experience within professional club and academy settings around the world will allow him to lead program alignment and solidify the second pillar of our Leading a Soccer Nation plan: consistent, world-class performances by our national teams."

Zambrano, who made stops at LA Galaxy and New York MetroStars among others, has never coached at national team level. He most recently was at El Nacional in his native Ecuador.

The 59-year-old replaces interim Canada coach Michael Findlay, who took the reins after Benito Floro's contract was allowed to expire last September.

Zambrano said of the appointment: "I would like to thank Canada Soccer for this incredible opportunity to lead the men's national team program and align the strong and deep talent pool that exists from coast to coast.

"My passion is the development of young athletes and I view football as part sport, part art, and part entertainment. I will look to portray all three through the tactics and player development within the men's national team program."

Zambrano posted a record of 80-55-8 during his time in MLS, good for the 12th-highest win total of anyone to coach in the league.

Canada are ranked 117th in the latest FIFA rankings, and have not qualified for a World Cup since the 1986 edition in Mexico.

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