CLEVELAND CRUNCH APPOINTS ANTONIO MANFUT AS NEW HEAD COACH

Cleveland, OH  - The Cleveland Crunch is pleased to announce the appointment of Antonio Manfut as the team's new head coach ahead of the 2023-24 Major League Indoor Soccer (MLIS) season. Manfut's remarkable track record within professional indoor soccer makes him an invaluable addition to the Crunch's leadership.

Manfut has graced the roster of several teams such as, the Syracuse Silver Knights, Rio Grande Valley Barracudas, St. Louis Ambush, Florida Tropics, Baltimore Blast and the Cleveland Crunch. He most recently played during the 2022-23 season for the Baltimore Blast and St. Louis Ambush. Throughout his professional career, he has consistently demonstrated his prowess on the field and his strategic acumen off of it. His impressive statistics speak for themselves, as he has scored an impressive 100 goals and tallied 60 assists in his 177-game career. Manfut was also a member of the U.S. Futsal National team, appearing in 12 matches and helping lead the team to a championship victory at the IFA Futsal World Championships in Barcelona, Spain this past September 2022. 

During the 2020-21 season Manfut joined the Cleveland Crunch on a loan from the Florida Tropics and appeared in one game before suffering a season ending injury. He then returned to the team for the 2021-22 season as an assistant coach. In his short time with the Crunch, he began to forge a connection with the team and its devoted fans. 

Now, in his return as the head coach, he presents an exciting opportunity for the Crunch organization to continue its tradition of excellence and this endeavor marks an exciting new chapter in his career. 

"We are thrilled to welcome Antonio Manfut as our new head coach," says Luciano V. Ruscitto, Cleveland Crunch president and general manager. "His extensive experience and unparalleled dedication make him the perfect fit to lead our team forward."

“I’m very excited to join this organization. I’ve always said there’s so much talent here in Cleveland”, Manfut said. “I’m hoping to take my years of experience in the indoor game to help teach the team to take their game to the next level and compete for championships.”

Manfut's appointment as head coach sparks an exciting era for the Cleveland Crunch. The organization is confident that the team will continue to thrive under Manfut’s guidance and is enthusiastic about the collective achievements that lie ahead. 

For press inquiries, please contact Andriana Ruscitto at andriana.ruscitto@theclevelandcrunch.com