Timbers2 have named Serge Dinkota as head coach, the club announced today. Dinkota becomes the second head coach of T2’s MLS NEXT Pro era.
Dinkota, 33, was appointed as T2’s interim head coach ahead of the 2024 season after serving as an assistant coach for the MLS NEXT Pro side from 2022-2023. The team was previously led by former Head Coach Shannon Murray, who now serves as an assistant coach on the first team staff under Timbers Head Coach Phil Neville.
“Serge’s commitment and determination have continued to guide his professional development during his time with the club, and he is deserving of this opportunity to lead our MLS NEXT Pro Team,” Timbers General Manager Ned Grabavoy shared. “Serge’s experience at various levels will be beneficial in supporting this stage of player development at the club, and we are excited to watch his growth as a young coach.”
In his seventh year with the club, Dinkota first joined the organization in 2018, working with the Timbers Academy. He served as head coach of the U15 and U19 teams until 2022, when he transitioned to the T2 staff for the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro campaign. Before arriving in Portland, Dinkota worked in CF Montréal’s academy system as a head coach between 2014-2018. He holds a USSF A Senior license.
“I am honored and humbled to be given this opportunity. I want to thank the club for trusting in me, as well as my staff and players who have been very supportive in the process,” said Head Coach Dinkota. “I am dedicated to this club’s growth and the development of our players and am looking forward to representing the Portland Timbers in this role.”
Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dinkota moved to Geneva, Switzerland, at two years old and joined FC Grand-Lancy at the age of eight. Two years later, Dinkota’s family moved to Canada and settled into Sainte-Foy, Québec, where a young Dinkota played for Les Cyclones de l’Ancienne-Lorette. On the international stage, Dinkota represented Canada as a member of its U15, U16 and U20 programs between 2006-2010.
In 2017, Dinkota participated in a coaching course provided by the French Football Federation (FFF) where he received his Elite Formation Coaches License. As a part of the program, Dinkota took classes at FFF’s Institut National du Football de Clairefontaine before spending a week at the formation center of En Avant de Guingamp, where he followed the French club’s technical staff. Current Columbus Crew Head Coach Wilfried Nancy is among other head coaches to have completed the course.
Dinkota’s first official match as head coach of T2 comes this afternoon, May 3, when the club kicks off a two-game home stand against Whitecaps FC 2 at 2 p.m. (Pacific) at Providence Park. T2 is currently 10th in the Western Conference standings with seven points (1-3-3) through seven matches this season.
