Vanni Sartini extended for 2 more years! What can he achieve in the newly renewed contract duration?

It was announced during the match against LAFC inside of the 25,000 individuals at BC Place on Decision Day that their Head Coach Vanni Sartini signed a contract extension. The crowd applauded with cheers and happiness as most people didn't know that this deal occured. As Vanni Sartini stated that "I fought not to cry. I have a very special relationship with this club and city." Also being very appreciative for the trust that he has built over the years, with the Vancouver board and just having the belief in Sartini to be the Head Coach and Manager of this team signing him to an extension until 2025.

Goals/Targets

For this Whitecaps team, with immense potential. As literally, the sky is the limit for this franchise. Vanni was also a vital part on the team's success in the other competitions like the Canadian Championship and the Cascadia Cup. But with such and elite side, filled with pure hardwork and talent as long with young pieces. But who knows? Maybe this is the maximum this Vancouver team can do. With how unexpected soccer is, with the different injuries and especially in the MLS the unknown changes and conditions, filled with one of the most common issues that Vancouver seems to have in terms of their stars leaving because of family issues. So everything really happens in a split second, and nobody is certain on what's going to be occurring over the upcoming two years. So Vanni Sartini's final or the most crucial goal is to gain victory in the MLS Cup. As that one is probably one of the most prestigious and crucial trophies to win. That would probably be the end goal for Sartini as a Head Coach for the Whitecaps I would think. Retaining the Canadian Championship will be cool, as they trying to at least gain an little footing to Toronto FC and Montreal CF who currently has an abounding lead in Canadian Championship title, as Toronto with an staggering eight won, but it would be nice to try to at least compete again. Especially if it is again at BC Place which usually attracts a lot of fans to come down and watch the Caps play. Then the North American competitions (talking about the Concacaf Champions League currently), which will really be looking very far forward. As to qualify for the competition, it is already very difficult to do. Despite all three extremely differing competitions wanting to be won, there will probably need to be an main goal to mainly focus on. Which is most likely going to be the MLS Cup, as the Canadian Championship has been won before and the Concacaf Champions League would be an thought and being considered and ginormous competition. But I believe they'll have to get far in the tournament to at least have an gilmour of thinking they have an possibility, as the Whitecaps if they want to shock the world then they'll have to prove it in the opening rounds. I don't believe the Leagues Cup is an too much of a priority because it doesn't spark the same as the Concacaf Champions League in my opinion. Just because is like for the CCL you will have to earn your place to be in the competition, while the Leagues Cup just feels like anything can possibly happen.

How he got here

Vanni would be really proud of where he is at currently, with him now seemingly being a fan favourite manager. With him starting from where they tracked his career from the Assistant Coach at Serie B. Then being an advisor for the U.S.A national team. Finally being an assistant for Marc Dos Santos, then after the embarrassing 4-3 defeat to Pacific FC on August 26, 2021. Vanni was appointed as interim head coach the following day. Afterwards, as we know he would make out to be successful gaining success after the hiring making it to the MLS playoffs in 2021 and was hired as the official head coach of the Whitecaps in the beginning of the 2022 campaign. Now signing an new contract extension, as his previous contract would've marked him to leave at the end of this season.

Formation

Vanni Sartini has never had been decisive on his structure. As from the Christmas Tree formation, into the three at the backs. Sartini isn't known for only being glued to only one foundation to play. But during Vanni Sartini's reign, the various formations and tactics that he has attempted. It would most likely be an mouthful if I name all the formations that he has considered playing. His variation and variety sometimes have been handy. Against the different teams there are usually some formation changes, with judging from the opposition's playstyle. For Vanni, I do not believe that, that is the case. As Sartini has been usually sticking to one formation, for a certain time period. Sometimes the supporters thought he made delicate decisions, with him at times being even unwilling to change his style if it isn't working well. It is intriguing as he is slightly indifferent to changing his structure fully. As at times, it feels like he hasn't fully transitioned to a formation this season. As currently the 3-1-4-2 has been utilized a lot, but a month ago the Christmas Tree formation was again utilized. It just seems like after consecutive losses, Vanni tries to switch things up a bit. But still remains to the previous formation the next match. As last season we saw Vanni try the 4-2-2-2 formation, at the end of the campaign where they were trying to make the magnificent comeback. It feels like it really depends on the match he experiments with his different structures, the performance that they displayed in that match. With so many memorable moments using the three at the back, it will not be surprising that, that will be the defining formation over the bunch. As his likeability for three at the back, feels like he will mainly utilize the three at the back over the upcoming seasons. But Vanni is unpredictable and that is certainly not for definite. But here comes another question. Is it more optimal to have one outstanding formation, or multiple reliable structures to play? It is slightly questionable, but if you look at most MLS coaches or even going further to the European teams. They usually only have one formation, where they train and focus on that one foundation. So I believe it'll be optimal to only stick to one formation. And with the different parts of this team, I believe that Vanni Sartini thinks that a three at the back will be the best for this team. Whatever I believe, I do think that it is a difficult formation but I do believe that it is better to have one super stable foundation to play off of. Two is still fine. While if it's even upper than two, I believe that's an excessive use of the various formations. So maybe sticking with two wouldn't be bad. But with his new contract extension, I believe he does has to build his own style on play. And I believe with all the work and the prior years of using the three at the back when Sartini was in charge, that is the direction that this team wants to go with. But obviously, against some teams with different tactics it can certainly change at times.

Possession/ Tactics

It really feels like Vanni has integrated the most of the missing pieces for an consistent Vancouver side. With his tactics, the extremely high press has been very effective most of the time. With him implementing the pressure for his opponents, with the different players being bought in. Usually liking the players more with the defensive workrate to press them with danger, to make them slightly nervous them winning the ball back at around the midfield. But still being controlled and not pressing everytime the opponent is trying to work from the back, as there are times where it is impossible to get the ball. So it wouldn't be an waste of energy. While from the possession standpoint, it really feels like he isn't alright with only getting the 35-43% possession anymore. As he wants to have the ball more now. It is really difficult to win an MLS Cup with an low possession side. So the transition tat he has made to try to gain more possession seems to be going pretty well. As this year, the Whitecaps are mid-table in terms of the possession statistic. The style in play over the years has been changed quite a bit, but potentially Vanni can make even more potential improvements and then stabilizing the tactics. To then finally get the best from this team, with his now two more years extended.