The Simcoe County Rovers are delighted to announce that Victor Oppong and Derek O’Keeffe will be leading the Rovers’ technical staff for the 2022 and beyond.
Victor Oppong has joined as the Club’s first general manager and head coach. Oppong is a former Canadian international who made a career playing professionally in Germany. Victor spent 15 years in Germany as a player and a coach; featuring for German-club FC Saarbrucken, Waldhof Mannheim, Vfr Mannheim. He began his coaching career with TSV Amicitia Vierheim and Ziegelhausen in Germany before leaving to join the Ottawa Fury of the USL Championship. Prior to hanging up his boots, Oppong captained the Canadian U20 squad and played in the U20 World Cup in 2001. Victor obtained his UEFA licenses from one of top ranked coaching education countries in Europe through the Germany football federation.
Simcoe County Rovers’ President, Julian de Guzman, shared, “Victor brings tremendous knowledge of the game to our Club. He is a great addition to the County’s soccer culture and the region should thrive off his leadership. I have had the pleasure of playing with Victor in the U20 World Cup in Argentina and working with him as a coach with the Ottawa Fury in the USL Championship. We are excited to bring in such an experienced leader to the Club.
Victor will be joined by Derek O’Keeffe, the Rovers’ Technical Director and Assistant Coach. Derek is originally from Cork City in Ireland and holds a UEFA A coaching license. His coaching journey began in the League of Ireland before joining the New York Red Bulls’ technical staff in the MLS. O’Keeffe has vast experience in Ontario soccer at the League 1 and OPDL levels. Derek recently worked as head coach of League1 Ontario’s Aurora FC where he developed players such as Morey Doner and Max Ferrari who are now playing the Canadian Premier League.
Julian adds, “Derek is a remarkable professional and a critical addition to the Club. He has a high-quality background in League1 Ontario and has an intimate understanding of Ontario soccer. He has a prove ability to develop players.”
