Detroit City FC has appointed former Sacramento Republic FC assistant coach Danny Dichio as its fourth Head Coach in club history, with the 49-year-old succeeding Trevor James as James moves into his new role of DCFC Sporting Director this offseason.

Here are five things you should know about Le Rouge’s new appointment.

1. PREMIER LEAGUE ROOTS

A native of London, Danny Dichio came through the Academy at Queens Park Rangers and scored on his Premier League debut for the club in a 2-0 victory against Aston Villa on October 29, 1994, 10 days after his 20th birthday. Dichio had his best top-flight season the following campaign, recording 10 goals in 29 appearances for QPR. He went on to represent Sunderland AFC and West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League, recording 19 goals and seven assists in 93 appearances in the top-flight in his career.

2. ITALIAN JOB

With Italian familial roots – Dichio’s full name is the endearingly Anglo-Italian Daniele Salvatore Ernest Dichio – the forward was twice sent on loan to clubs in Serie A from QPR early in his career. In the second of those stints at Lecce, Dichio scored his only top-flight goal in Italy in a 2-0 victory against Brescia on November 2, 1997. That would be one of only four appearances Dichio made during that campaign.

3. MR. 24TH MINUTE

After competing for Derby County, Millwall and Preston North End in the EFL Championship, Dichio jumped across the Atlantic Ocean to join Toronto FC for its inaugural season in Major League Soccer in 2007. He then made club history, recording the first MLS goal for the Reds in the 24th minute of the side’s 3-1 victory against Chicago Fire FC at BMO Field. The moment is commemorated by TFC supporters to this day, although the game didn’t end on the best note personally – Dichio was subsequently sent off in the 44th minute.

4. CALLING CANADA HOME

After three seasons with Toronto FC to end his playing career, Dichio remained with the club as an ambassador and to start his coaching career. For a decade he served as the Head Coach of the club’s U-18 Academy side – also known as Toronto FC III when it played in the Canadian Soccer League’s First Division, while also working as an assistant coach for the club’s First Team and Toronto FC II when it competed in USL League One during the 2021 season.

5. CALIFORNIA, HERE I COME

After 15 years as a player and coach at Toronto FC, Dichio joined Sacramento Republic FC’s coaching staff prior to the start of the 2022 season and served as Head Coach Mark Briggs’ right-hand man during the most successful run the club has experienced since its inaugural season. Sacramento became the first lower-division side to reach the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final in 2022 and then finished top of the Western Conference this past season before reaching the Western Conference Final in the playoffs. As he enters his first senior Head Coaching position with Detroit City FC, Dichio will aim to draw on those experiences – and those he’s gained from three decades in the professional game – to lead Le Rouge forward.