CF Montreal Hire Former Montreal Native, Jermaine Washington, as Manager
Jermaine Washington holds up his honorary managerial kit as he begins his first professional head manager role.
CF Montréal have announced the appointment of Jermaine Washington as the club’s new head coach, handing one of Major League Soccer’s most intriguing young managerial prospects his first senior role at just 29 years old. The decision signals a bold new direction for the club as they look to redefine their identity heading into the 2024 season.
Washington arrives in Montreal after quietly building an impressive reputation at youth level in the United States. He spent several years within the LA Galaxy and LAFC academies, serving in both assistant and head coaching roles, where his teams became known for an intense, high-speed style of play that overwhelmed opponents. That philosophy, dubbed “Nightmare Football,” earned Washington the nickname “The Canadian Nightmare” among players and coaches who encountered his sides in elite youth competitions.
A graduate of McGill University, Washington previously lived in Montreal for over a decade, making his return to the city a natural fit. His approach blends modern sports science, tactical aggression, and a deep emphasis on collective effort without the ball. Speaking about his philosophy, Washington once remarked, “I want your opponent to have nightmares about the way you pressed them.”
CF Montréal’s leadership were drawn to Washington’s clarity of vision and willingness to push the physical and tactical boundaries of the modern game. Nightmare Football is built on relentless high pressing, rapid ball recovery, and vertical attacking transitions designed to keep opponents under constant stress for 90 minutes.
Washington enters the role on a reported salary of $16,000 per week, fully aware of the scrutiny that comes with such an ambitious appointment. With limited senior-level experience but a clear tactical identity, he now faces the challenge of translating youth-level dominance into professional success.
The 2024 season marks the beginning of Washington’s managerial journey, and for CF Montréal, a calculated gamble that the Canadian Nightmare is ready to wake MLS up.
R. Enrique (ORL)
I. Angulo (ORL)
G. Vrioni (MTL)
