LAFC to hire Crew scouting director Neil McGuinness as technical director: Sources

LAFC will name Columbus Crew director of scouting Neil McGuinness as their technical director, sources briefed on the deal tell The Athletic. 

McGuinness will become LAFC’s No. 2, working under chief soccer officer and co-president John Thorrington. He is a well-respected talent-identifier and will have expanded responsibilities in Los Angeles.

McGuinness has been with the Crew since 2019, leaving his role as a senior scout for Scottish giants Celtic where he was credited with pushing the club to sign Virgil van Dijk. During his time in Columbus, McGuinness has helped oversee an overhaul to the playing squad that has won two MLS Cups (2020, 2023).

Columbus beat LAFC in MLS Cup last year. The Crew are also in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final this season, seeking to become the second MLS club to win the trophy in the modern era.

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During McGuinness’ time as director of scouting in Columbus, the club acquired the likes of Cucho Hernandez, Darlington Nagbe, Lucas Zelarayan, Diego Rossi and Steven Moreira, all of whom have been valuable contributors.

The other finalist for the role was Newcastle’s assistant head of first-team recruitment Andy Howe, sources add. The 29-year-old is a rising front office member for Newcastle as they qualified for the Champions League ahead of this season. Howe was integral in the club signing the likes of Bruno Guimarães, Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak and more in recent seasons.

Howe is also highly rated around the game and is likely to be in the mix for future roles around MLS that come open.

LAFC’s previous No. 2 was Will Kuntz, who left and eventually joined rival LA Galaxy. Another key front office member, director of football operations Marco Garces, departed this winter to join Celta Vigo. Most recently, global scout David Kammarman departed the club to take a role with the New England Revolution.

McGuinness will join ahead of an expected busy summer transfer window for LAFC, looking to add to the squad. French legend Olivier Giroud is already on his way, as The Athletic previously reported, but LAFC is expected to be busy beyond Giroud’s arrival.

(Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)