The Halifax Wanderers are expected to announce Vanni Sartini as their new head coach in the coming hours, marking the Italian’s return to the sidelines after more than a year unemployed. The former Vancouver Whitecaps manager recently completed a coaching internship with the Chicago Fire, working alongside Gregg Berhalter, father of midfielder Sebastian Berhalter.
Sartini joined the Whitecaps in 2019 as an assistant coach before taking over as interim manager in 2021, guiding the team to the MLS Cup Playoffs. He was officially appointed head coach later that year and went on to win three consecutive Canadian Championship titles and lead Vancouver to the MLS postseason in three of his four seasons.
His MLS résumé includes 44 wins, 40 losses and 32 draws, along with strong showings in continental competitions such as the Leagues Cup. Upon leaving Vancouver, Sartini thanked the fans and the city for the memories created during his tenure.
The move to Halifax places him in the Canadian Premier League (CPL) — widely recognized as the second division of Canadian soccer. The HFX Wanderers finished the 2025 CPL season in 4th place with 39 points and are seeking greater stability under new leadership.
