Pascal Jansen’s Coaching Philosophy and NYCFC Goals

What do Kobe Bryant, Denzel Washington, Phil Jackson, former President Barack Obama, the New Zealand rugby team, and Formula 1 drivers share?

They all serve as inspirations for the coaching philosophy of Pascal Jansen, the head coach of New York City FC.

Jansen expressed a commitment to learning and curiosity. “I’ve worked hard to educate myself,” he told the Post. His mother played a key role in shaping this mindset. “Always stay inquisitive. If you don’t get an answer, don’t hesitate to ask again. Seek out people who inspire you—they might have the insights you need,” he added, recognizing how easy it is to connect with others today.

Following the results from the 2025 season, it’s clear that Jansen’s unique blend of influences has paid off. Under his leadership, NYCFC reached the Eastern Conference finals in his first MLS season.

He achieved the second-highest winning percentage in the club’s history at .488 and recorded 56 points during the regular season, the best result since 2019.

Among first-time coaches, Jansen was one of four to guide an MLS team to the conference finals last season, a historic achievement. He attributes the success to an amalgamation of various elements—having a “competitive roster,” a coachable group, and strong team chemistry. Yet, he’s cautious about claiming future success.

“I agree to some extent, but it doesn’t encompass all we want,” Janssen remarked. “We aspire to exceed our past successes. To do that, we must raise the bar again. That’s our ongoing challenge.”

This Sunday, NYCFC is set to face LA Galaxy, a team eager to reclaim their championship form from just two seasons ago.

Jansen has indicated that this season’s goals revolve around “surpassing last year’s performance.” This could mean reaching the MLS Cup finals or securing a title in the U.S. Open Cup or League Cup. Achieving these aims is compounded by the team’s loss of star player Alonso Martinez.

“We all know the standards and expectations,” defender Tyvon Gray stated, echoing the urgency within the team.

Veteran midfielder Maxi Morales added, “We need to start strong. We must win this game. We’ve got a solid team, but it’s a long season ahead. It’s crucial to begin with a winning mindset this Sunday.”

Jansen noted the importance of reflecting on last season to propel the team forward. One significant lesson was managing the extensive travel demands in MLS. “Finding a balanced approach—ensuring players perform their best while accommodating travel—has been tough, but it’s crucial for the upcoming season,” he explained.

This year, Jansen hopes to deepen his understanding of the team. “There’s a hunger to improve on last season, which will shape our identity,” he mentioned. “The intensity with which we approach each game, our organizational play, and the mental composure we aim to maintain will remain central to our strategy moving forward into 2026 and beyond.”