A Year In, Pascal Jansen Is Changing the Culture at NYCFC — and He’s Not Afraid to Say It Out Loud

After twelve months at the helm, there is little debate left about the impact Pascal Jansen has had on New York City FC. Results tell part of the story, but the deeper transformation goes beyond league tables and playoff runs. Jansen hasn’t just improved NYCFC — he’s reshaped how the team thinks, plays, and communicates.

The 2025 season offered clear evidence. NYCFC finished fifth in the Eastern Conference before pushing all the way to the Eastern Conference Final, a run that restored belief and momentum around the club. Tactical flexibility, in-game adjustments, and a willingness to trust players in evolving roles became hallmarks of Jansen’s approach. Supporters noticed. Players responded.

Yet what may be most impressive is that Jansen appears to be building momentum even before a ball has been kicked in 2026.

While preseason optimism can often feel manufactured, Jansen’s early tone has felt different — grounded, deliberate, and refreshingly honest. In his most recent press conference, the Dutch coach made a point of reinforcing something fans have come to appreciate: he does not sugarcoat reality. Whether discussing squad depth, individual roles, or areas still in need of growth, Jansen speaks plainly.

That transparency has become part of his leadership identity.

Rather than hiding behind clichés or vague assurances, Jansen addressed the current state of the roster with clarity. He acknowledged strengths without exaggeration, and weaknesses without deflection. For a club that has, at times in the past, struggled with mixed messaging, that openness feels significant.

It also fosters trust. Players know where they stand. Supporters understand the direction. Expectations are shaped honestly rather than inflated artificially. In modern football — and particularly in MLS, where roster rules and development timelines demand patience — that kind of communication matters.

Jansen’s willingness to explain his thinking has also helped contextualize some of his tactical decisions. Rotations, positional experiments, and lineup changes are no longer viewed as guesswork but as pieces of a longer-term plan. Even when decisions are debated, they are understood.

That doesn’t mean NYCFC is a finished product. Jansen himself has been clear about that. But the foundation feels stable, and the vision feels coherent. Coming off a breakthrough 2025 and heading into 2026 with continuity and confidence, NYCFC looks like a club aligned from the touchline to the stands.

In a league where progress is often measured only in silverware, Pascal Jansen has shown that culture, clarity, and credibility can be just as transformative. And judging by his words — and his work — he’s only getting started.