The San Jose Earthquakes have announced that head sporting strategist Vassili Cremanzidis has died at age 36.
The Earthquakes did not specify a cause of death, but BPM Sports radio reported that Cremanzidis died of cancer.
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Cremanzidis was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at age 10. He told La Presse in 2023 that he had the disease three times before he was in remission by age 15.
“It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness to share that our colleague, friend, and head sporting strategist, Vassili Cremanzidis, has passed away,” the Earthquakes said in a statement.
“Vassili was more than our head sporting strategist; he was a genuinely beloved and respected man whose professionalism and commitment to the club on the field were only equaled by his selflessness, compassion for others, and overall positive outlook on life.
“We express our deepest condolences to Vassiliâs family, friends, and everyone whose lives he has touched.”
Cremanzidis began his career with CF MontrĂŠal (then the MontrĂŠal Impact) in 2013 as performance analyst. He was then part of the Earthquakes technical staff from 2016 to 2018 before returning to MontrĂŠal to serve as head of analysis and assistant director of player personnel.
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In 2020, Cremanzidis was promoted to MontrĂŠal’s assistant sporting director.
“Throughout his tenure at the club, Vassili always stood out by his personality, his professionalism and his commitment to teamwork,” CF MontrĂŠal said in a statement.
“A supporter from the very beginning, he contributed in his own way to the life and development of the organization, leaving fond memories among those who worked alongside him.”
Cremanzidis returned to San Jose in 2024 when he was named head sporting strategist, reporting directly to general manager Chris Leitch.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: San Jose Earthquakes head sporting strategist dies at age 36
