LAFC hit reset button as Xavi Tamarit takes charge

Xavi Tamarit has been thrust into the spotlight at LAFC.

The 44-year-old Spaniard has taken over as interim head coach after the Black & Gold parted ways with Marc Dos Santos late last month, inheriting a star-studded squad that's fallen short of expectations.

Tamarit will make his touchline debut Saturday when LAFC host Thomas Müller and Western Conference-leading Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Stadium (10:30 pm ET | Apple TV), as he looks to spark a late-season turnaround with the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs fast approaching. 

"First of everything, I'm really happy to have this opportunity," Tamarit told reporters on Thursday. "I appreciate the club trusted [in] me and the players.

"What we want to improve is to give very simple but clear concepts in the tactical aspects and give clear roles for each player on the pitch to have a really clear idea and a really clear identity."

Seeking resurgence

Tamarit takes over an LAFC side that entered 2026 with aspirations of winning MLS Cup, but experienced an up-and-down campaign under Dos Santos. 

The Black & Gold started the season with an 11-match unbeaten run across all competitions, reaching the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals before a dip in form. A run of just one win in 10 league matches ultimately preceded Dos Santos' departure, with LAFC sitting sixth in the Western Conference.

Still, there's no shortage of talent at Tamarit's disposal. Led by superstar forwards Son Heung-Min and Denis Bouanga, LAFC boast one of the league's top attacking duos, plus FIFA World Cup-winning goalkeeper Hugo Lloris between the posts.

"I think when you do the simple things very well, this is a strong team. So we are trying to do simple things very well, taking advantage of the characteristics of our guys," said Tamarit, an assistant under Dos Santos who's worked extensively across South America and Europe.

"I can say in the first days we have laid the foundations for becoming the team we aspire to be, and of course we will have to improve a lot. We need to be very humble, understand that we have to improve a lot to become the team we want to be."

Room to grow

As LAFC aim to work their way back into the top four in the West, Tamarit's first task is about as tough as it gets. While his long-term future at LAFC remains uncertain, the new boss is confident he'll have plenty of time to make his mark. 

"Right now my position is to help the team until the end of the season, and after that we will see," Tamarit said. "I am part of the club, so I will help in all that they ask me.

"I believe it's going to be a long, long time until the end of the season because I believe we are going far in the playoffs."