Montréal Impact hire Marco Schällibaum as new manager

Former Switzerland international Marco Schällibaum is the new coach of the Montréal Impact.

The Major League Soccer club will introduce the 50-year-old Switzerland native at a news conference Tuesday at Saputo Stadium. He replaces Jesse Marsch, who led Montréal in its inaugural MLS season in 2012.

"From our very first discussion, I felt confidence with the management," Schällibaum said in a press release. "We have a good roster with quality players and I saw a lot on character on the field. I will do all I can to help this team win."

Schällibaum coached nearly 10 years with five clubs in the Swiss league and spent the last two years as a FIFA coaching instructor in Asia.

"Over the different meetings, we felt a real desire on his part to come to MLS and to this club," Impact sporting director Nick De Santis said. "With the rest of the technical staff, we will put him in the best situation possible in order to help him adapt quickly to the reality of North America."

Schällibaum's last stop as a head coach was Swiss club FC Lugano, where he coached current Impact midfielder Felipe Martins.

"Will be a pleasure work with you again," Martins wrote on Twitter Monday morning. "[W]elcome to Montréal Marco Schällibaum!"

Schuallibaum also played 15 seasons in the Swiss league and won three championships. He played 31 games for the Switzerland's national team.

Proir to making the hire, Impact president Joey Saputo said the new coach should be able to speak English and French. Schällibaum speaks those languages plus German and Italian.

This story includes information from the Associated Press.