Forge FC and Head Coach & Sporting Director Bobby Smyrniotis announced Wednesday, the club’s coaching and operations staff for the 2025 season.
Three coaches return from the Forge FC 2024 staff, including Bobby Smyrniotis, Johan Albert and Kyriakos Selaidopoulos. New additions to the coaching staff for the 2025 season include assistant coach Arno Buitenweg, assistant coach George Kyriazis and strength and conditioning coach Stavros Vasilopoulos. Supporting the coaching staff will be a high-calibre operations team aiding in all of the behind-the-scenes needs of the staff at Forge FC.
“We’re excited to unveil our coaching staff for the 2025 season, bringing together a strong mix of returning members and fresh talent here to Hamilton,” said Smyrniotis. “This group will play a key role in maintaining our team’s identity and culture while driving us forward toward our goals this season.”
2025 Forge FC Coaching/Operations Staff
Bobby Smyrniotis – Head Coach & Sporting Director
Jelani Smith – Director of Soccer Operations
Kyriakos Selaidopoulos – Assistant Coach & Director of Youth Football
Arno Buitenweg – Assistant Coach
Johan Albert – Goalkeeper Coach & Video Analyst
George Kyriazis – Assistant Coach
Stavros Vasilopoulos – Sports Scientist
Jacob Miller – Sport Scientist
Joe Hanley – Equipment Manager
Liam MacPherson – Head Athletic Therapist
Grace Little – Team Operations
Bobby Smyrniotis was named Forge FC’s first-ever Technical Director and Head Coach on October 1, 2018. On May 1, 2023, Bobby expanded his role to Head Coach & Sporting Director. He has led Forge FC to six consecutive Canadian Premier League Final appearances, being crowned Champions in 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023 and was a finalist for CPL Coach of the Year in all six seasons, being crowned Coach of the Year in 2024. Under the leadership of Smyrniotis, Forge FC became the first CPL club to appear in the Concacaf League and Concacaf Champions League.
Forge FC has appointed Arno Buitenweg as an assistant coach. He holds an Asian Confederation Pro License and a UEFA A License, bringing extensive international coaching experience to the club. Buitenweg previously managed United FC in the United Arab Emirates and held key coaching roles at Al-Wahda FC in Saudi Arabia, including Technical Director of the Academy and U16 head coach. In Qatar, he was an integral part of the U-17 national team program, playing a role in youth development and talent identification. Additionally, he worked with RCD Mallorca’s youth academy, helping to nurture young talents within the Spanish football system.
George Kyriazis joins Forge FC as an assistant coach, bringing a wealth of experience to their technical staff. He holds a UEFA Pro License and previously served as the head coach of the Greece Women’s National Team, as well as being part of the coaching staff for the Rochester Rhinos. Before transitioning into coaching, Kyriazis had a long and successful playing career, featuring for clubs in Greece, Italy, and the United States. He played for Iraklis in Greece before moving to Italy, where he suited up for Catania, Arezzo, Triestina, and Salernitana. Later, he finished his playing career with the Rochester Rhinos in the United States.
Forge FC has welcomed Stavros Vasilopoulos as a Sports Scientist. He holds a UEFA B License and a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology, bringing a strong academic and practical background to the role. Vasilopoulos has worked with several clubs in Greece and previously played professionally for Iraklis Ampelokipon and Aris Thessaloniki. He will focus on enhancing player performance, fitness, and recovery.
Team Doctors
Dr. Katie Dalziel – Head Sports Medicine Physician
Dr. Darren de SA – Head Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Olufemi Ayeni – Medical Director and Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Saif Shamshoon – Associate Head Sports Medicine Physician
Dr. Shervin Zandi Riahi – Internal Medicine