Twitter reacts to… James O’Connor’s Orlando City SC appointment

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Exactly two weeks on from Jason Kreis’ exitOrlando City SC  announced the appointment of James O’Connor as the Lions’ new head coach today.

A former Lion himself having made 41 league appearances for Orlando City SC in their USL form, the 38-year-old Irishman returns to Central Florida after a successful stint at Louisville City.

With James O’Connor set to suit up for Orlando City SC in their forthcoming away visit to Los Angeles FC on July 7th, interim head coach Bobby Murphy will lead the team once more at Atlanta United tomorrow.

Also joining James O’Connor at Orlando City Stadium is Daniel Byrd who will remain his assistant coach after following him from Louisville City.

Up-and-coming

An up-and-coming manager, James O’Connor is an intriguing appointment.

A move that strikes up nostalgia from Orlando City SC‘s domination of the minor league scene in USL, we must get behind our new man in charge following a desperate run of seven straight MLS losses.

Despite never coaching in Major League Soccer before, James O’Connor‘s role in coaching Louisville City to an 18-6-8 record to finish top of the USL Eastern Conference before leading them to the 2017 USL Cup Championship was particularly impressive.

>>> CLICK HERE TO VIEW JAMES O’CONNOR’S COACHING PROFILE <<<

Currently third in USL Eastern Conference standings, James O’Connor departs the Kentucky-based franchise having also led them to the quarter-finals of the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as the only non-MLS side remaining in the competition.

Familiar face

A familiar face in Central Florida, James O’Connor actually previously boasts some coaching experience in the Orlando City SC dugout, stepping in as an assistant for our USL side from 2013 to 2014.

And of course, James O’Connor was part of Orlando City SC‘s USL playing staff that won the USL Pro Championship in 2013.

A battling defensive midfielder during his playing days, James O’Connor represented Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, Burnley and Sheffield Wednesday during a 15-year playing career in England.

The fans’ view

With the Orlando City SC Twittersphere currently digesting the news, Orlando City UK gathered some of the best tweets following James O’Connor‘s appointment.

What are YOU making of James O’Connor‘s appointment as Orlando City SC head coach?

Comment below or tweet us at @Orlando_CityUK to let us know!

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