Former U.S. men’s national team player Jermaine Jones now enters the first head coaching position of his career.

USL League One side Central Valley Fuego FC announced Jones as its new head coach, the club announced Monday. Jones was most recently an assistant coach with the U.S. Under-19 men’s national team.

“I am thrilled to join CV Fuego FC and to immediately begin building a team that the community will be proud of,” Jones said in a club interview.

Jones came through the youth ranks at German club Eintracht Frankfurt before making 46 appearances from 1999-2004. After a short spell at Bayer Leverkusen, Jones returned to Eintracht Frankfurt from 2005-07 before then making the move to fellow German club Schalke.

Jones also featured for Blackburn Rovers, Besiktas, New England Revolution, LA Galaxy, and Colorado Rapids during his lengthy pro career. He earned 69 caps with the U.S. men’s national team from 2010-17.

We followed a lengthy and rigorous process and arrived at our decision to hire Jermaine, which we feel is the correct one,” Central Valley Fuego FC’s Managing Partner Juan Gerardo Ruelas Jr said. “We look forward to the 2024 season and beyond with great anticipation and are confident in Jermaine’s ability to lead our team to success.”

Central Valley Fuego FC finished last in USL League One last season in the 12-team table.