Minnesota United didn’t look far for its new head coach.
Cameron Knowles, one of former head coach Eric Ramsay’s assistants, was promoted, the Loons announced Monday, Jan. 12.
Knowles, 43, has been with the club since 2021. The native of Auckland, New Zealand, began as a video analyst and later became the first head coach of MNUFC2, the organization’s MLS NEXT Pro side.
He was the Loons’ interim coach for the beginning of the 2024 season and went 2-0-1 before Ramsay was hired. Knowles, who was a college defender at Akron, then stayed on Ramsay’s staff.
The Loons said Jan. 11 that Ramsay, a native of Shrewsbury, England, is leaving to coach West Bromwich Albion in the English second division and is taking Loons assistant Dennis Lawrence with him.
“Cameron is the right leader for this moment in our club’s journey,” said Khaled El-Ahmad, Minnesota United’s chief soccer officer and sporting director, in a statement. “He has grown with this organization, understands our players, our culture, and our standards, and has consistently demonstrated the ability to develop people, build strong teams, and compete at a high level.”
Knowles’ promotion is one of several key changes for the Loons entering their 10th MLS season.
Dayne St. Clair, the reigning MLS goalkeeper of the year, left this offseason to join Inter Miami. Robin Lod, the Loons’ all-time leading MLS goal scorer, departed for Chicago. Midfielder Hassani Dotson (Seattle) and left back Joseph Rosales (Austin) have also moved on.
