IRVINE, Calif. – Orange County SC announced on Monday it had parted ways with Head Coach Richard Chaplow.

Assistant Coach Morten Karlsen, who was part of the Danish technical team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, will take the reins as Interim Head Coach with immediate effect. He will be assisted by the experienced Paul Hardyman, who brings experience from the academy systems of both Watford FC and Southampton FC in England.

“We hold ourselves to high standards at Orange County SC and since winning the USL Championship Cup in 2021, the results have simply been subpar and a change is necessary to get this team back to winning games regularly and competing for another trophy”, said Orange County President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Oliver Wyss. “Richard has been part of the club’s success since 2016 and we are forever grateful for his contributions on and off the field. We wish him and his family all the best in the future.”

Chaplow was appointed as interim Head Coach at Orange County SC on August 19, 2021 and subsequently led the club to the 2021 USL Championship title after a third-place finish in the Western Conference. Overall, he posted an 18-22-20 record across the regular season and playoffs at the helm, with OCSC having finished in last place in the Western Conference in the 2022 season.

The club also announced the departure of Head of Performance Scott Piri.