Major League football side San Jose Earthquakes has parted ways with manager Jesse Fioranelli, who is effective immediately, as the club announced on Tuesday.
A search for his replacement will begin immediately, while technical director Chris Leitch, head coach Matias Almeyda and the rest of the coaching staff will continue their roles.
NEWS: Earthquakes differ from CEO Jesse Fioranelli.
– San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) June 29, 2021
Fioranelli first arrived in San Jose four and a half years ago from AS Roma, hoping to develop the team’s youth academy into a feeding system for the senior squad. After joining in 2017, Fioranelli led the team to a 41-67-28 regular season record and the MLS Cup playoffs in 2017 and 2020. Now the earthquakes are looking to hire their third boss since they debuted in Major League Soccer as an expansion team in 2008.
“Leaving is not easy because I have been very lucky to work with an incredible group of people whose priority has always been to put the club first,” said Fioranelli.
“I will always be grateful to John Fisher and the board for the opportunity to serve the club. I want to thank every player, coach, employee and colleague, from the first team to the academy and the front office with whom I have shared four and a half memorable years.
“Being able to witness the growth of our players, while working with Matias on a unique path and a football brand that goes far beyond the tactics of the game, makes me hopeful that I leave our club with a bright future ahead.
“I take with me invaluable learning moments from the experiences we made together in the field, with our fans and in the community. It has been an honor to embrace a greater thing with you.”
Despite the great distraction, club owner John Fischer insists that the team’s focus remains on getting a playoff spot. The earthquakes are currently in 11th place on the Western Conference table, with just 10 points in 11 games played.
“With the majority of the season left, our focus is on winning a playoff spot, and we have confidence that Matias, our coaching staff and our players, who led us to the playoffs last year, can turn this around and make it happen,” Fisher said in A statement.
