Steve Nicol steps down as New England Revolution head coach – MLS News
Major League Soccer franchise http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/New-England-Revolution-c40026’s head coach, Steve Nicol, has parted ways with the team, the management announced on Monday, October 24.
The officials further announced that the decision was taken after a mutual agreement between the two parties. Nicol’s contract with the Revs was due to run out on December 31.
For his part, the manager was content with the mutual agreement. “My contract was up the 31st of December,” Nicol said. “They had an option on me. We've spoken and we came to the realization that all good things come to an end sometime. We'll part ways and
I have nothing but good things to say about the organization, the Krafts and the fans.”
The Scotsman remained the Revs’ manager for 10 years – the longest period any manager has spent with an MLS franchise. Nicol spent one year with the outfit in 1999 as an interim coach and was offered the permanent position in 2001.
The former boss saw several highs and lows with the Boston-based outfit. He led the Revs to the MLS Cup finals four times and was awarded the Coach of the Year award in 2002. In addition, Nicol secured Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and North American SuperLiga
titles in 2007 and 2008 respectively.
The Scottish national team veteran is still on good terms with the management despite the resignation. The former Liverpool defender expressed his gratitude towards the Krafts family – the owner of the franchise – for offering him his first job in the US.
“They gave me my first http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Job-c18684 here and I've got a great relationship with them,” Nicol said. “I spoke to them today. Obviously, it's not an ideal situation, but they were really good to me. I have only good things to say about them. It happens, but I've had
a great time.”
After a disappointing 2011 MLS season, the decision was anticipated by the MLS gurus and mutual agreement ended Nicol’s ten-year tenure on a happy note.
The former stalwart started his professional playing career in 1979 with Scottish football club, Ayr United. After playing two years with the team, he moved to English Premier League outfit http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 FC, where he spent 14 years as a defender.
He signed a contract with the Revs in 1999 as a stopper and was offered the interim manager’s job instead, after Walter Zenga’s sudden resignation.
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