HUNTSVILLE – Take your pick. Philosophical differences, personal matters or the biggest nemesis of professional sports coaches – losing.
Any or a little bit of all could be the motive, but what is certain is the Huntsville City Football Club has a new head coach.
Jack Collison, coach of the team in its inaugural year of 2023 who led the Boys in Blue until Tuesday, was replaced by the club after a winless start to the young ’24 schedule by assistant Christophe Berra. He was named interim head coach.
The club gave no reason for the change.
In a press release, HCFC announced “the departure of Jack Collison as head coach, and the appointment, effective immediately, of Assistant Coach Christophe Berra as interim Head Coach for the remainder of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season. The club would like to express its gratitude to Collison for his effort to the team’s development and wishes him the best in his future endeavors.’’
HCFC earned two draws to start the season, missing out on extra points by losing in penalty kick shootouts. The team was 0-2-2 overall, its latest match a 2-1 road loss to Inter Miami II. HCFC hosts Crown Legacy FC Saturday at 7 p.m. at Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium.
Collison was appointed as the club’s first head coach Jan. 18, 2023, bringing extensive experience from his playing days in the English Premier League and coaching roles, including a significant stint with Atlanta United FC2. During his tenure with Huntsville City FC in MLS NEXT Pro, Collison led the team through 32 games, recording 9 wins, 14 losses, and 9 draws.
Berra, with more than 560 appearances in Scotland’s and England’s Premier Leagues, brings experience and leadership to his new role, including his 41 caps for Scotland’s National Team. Berra started coaching in 2022, most recently serving as a first-team coach for Livingston FC in the Scottish Premiership.
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