Manny Lagos

  • Years with club: 2010–present
  • Role: Head Coach / Sporting Director / Chief Development Officer

Manny Lagos is the most enduring and decorated figure in Minnesota United FC’s history. A St. Paul native, Lagos began his career with the Minnesota Thunder, played in MLS, and returned to lead the club through its transition from the financially struggling Minnesota Stars to the MLS-bound Minnesota United FC. He is the franchise’s only two-time NASL Coach of the Year and the architect of their greatest NASL successes.

Key stats (Head Coach, 2010–2015):

  • Games managed: 176 (across all competitions)
  • Coach record: 78 wins, 59 losses, 59 draws
  • Championships: NASL Championship (2011), Woosnam Cup (2014), NASL Spring Season (2014)
  • Awards: NASL Coach of the Year (2011, 2014)

Memorable moments:

  • 2011 NASL championship: As a first-time head coach, Lagos led the Minnesota Stars to win the NASL Soccer Bowl, defeating the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the final.
  • The 2014 Woosnam Cup: He coached the team to the best overall regular season record in the NASL, earning the North American Supporters’ Trophy (Woosnam Cup) and sweeping the league’s major awards (MVP, Golden Boot, Coach of the Year).
  • The player-to-executive transition: Lagos was appointed the club’s first Sporting Director in 2016, where he oversaw the hiring of Adrian Heath and managed the immense task of building the club’s inaugural MLS roster from scratch.
  • Minnesota roots: Lagos is deeply connected to the state’s soccer history, having played for the Minnesota Thunder and represented the U.S. in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

Where are they now?:

Lagos has remained with the club throughout its MLS history, transitioning through various front-office roles.

  • Previous front-office roles: He was the club’s first Sporting Director (2016-2019) and later the Chief Soccer Officer (2020-2023), holding ultimate responsibility for the sporting side of the organization.
  • Current status: In late 2023, Lagos transitioned to the role of Chief Development Officer and Senior Technical Advisor. In this position, he focuses on fan and community engagement, business development, and continues to provide input on soccer-related matters.