Orlando City Names Marcelo Neveleff Orlando City B Head Coach

Orlando City announced today that Club Academy Director Marcelo Neveleff will take over as Orlando City B’s new head coach. Neveleff becomes OCB’s third permanent head coach in the team’s fourth season and the second in two years of USL League One play.

Neveleff was brought in by Orlando City Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi in May to oversee the club’s academy. Before joining Orlando City, Neveleff was an assistant coach for the New England Revolution. While in New England, Neveleff worked as an adviser for the club’s development academy. He also worked as an assistant with the United States U-20 Men’s National Team.

Neveleff continues the string of appointments that worked with Muzzi at FC Dallas. Prior to his move to New England, Neveleff was with Muzzi and Orlando City’s new first team head coach, Oscar Pareja, at FC Dallas.

“We are very excited for Marcelo to take on this important role with Orlando City B,” Muzzi said about the appointment in a club press release. “He brings a wealth of experience to the table having served as a coach, academy director, and a scout throughout his career. We also know his history working with Oscar (Pareja) will be very valuable to the club. With all of his experience and knowledge of the soccer culture here in Florida, we think this is a perfect fit for the long-term vision for Orlando City.”

Earlier in his career, Neveleff was the technical director for Weston FC, a top youth club in South Florida. He held that role from 2009 to 2015.

Muzzi has previously stated the goal of developing first team players through the academy, something that his previous club, FC Dallas, has been very successful with. Earlier this month, the club signed academy products and former OCB players David Loera and Jordan Bender to first team contracts. The plan is for Muzzi, Pareja, and Neveleff to work closely to develop players.

“I’ve known Marcelo for many years, dating back to when we used to work closely in Texas,” Pareja said about Neveleff in the club’s release. “Since then, we’ve continued a strong relationship and communicated often to exchange ideas, so I know we share the same vision and philosophies for our players and the club. I’m very excited and looking forward to being able to work with Marcelo again.”

Neveleff is the fourth head coach and third permanent head coach for OCB in its four-year history. The team’s first head coach was former Lions midfielder Anthony Pulis. He led the team through its first two seasons in 2016 and 2017 before departing for Saint Louis FC. When OCB returned in 2019 after a year hiatus, Fernando Jose De Argila Irurita of Montverde Academy was named head coach. He filled the role until he was removed on July 25. Roberto Sibaja finished the season as interim head coach before the appointment of Neveleff.