Orlando City is counting on a former player to get the club going in the right direction.

The Lions have hired James O’Connor as their new head coach.

O’Connor, 38, played for Orlando City from 2012-14 when the team was in the United Soccer League. He’s spent the last four years coaching USL club Louisville City FC and won a league championship with that side last season.

“James was our top target going into the coaching search. He has proven himself a consistent winner as both a player and coach at the USL level, and now is extremely eager to prove himself in MLS,” Lions general manager Niki Budalic said in a statement.

“James is very aware of the winning culture we have built in Orlando and what it will take to uphold that tradition in both the short- and long-term. We couldn’t be more excited for him to get started.”

Orlando City CEO Alex Leitao said despite the coaching change, he expects the Lions to be in the playoffs. They currently sit in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, two points behind Philadelphia for the final playoff spot.

O’Connor, a native of Ireland, replaces Jason Kreis, who was fired two weeks ago with the team mired in a six-match losing streak.

O’Connor will coach Louisville City through its match on Saturday. His first game as Orlando City’s coach will be July 7 against Los Angeles FC.