The Martin Rennie-era with the Vancouver Whitecaps is officially over. Just moments before a press conference was scheduled to begin, the team issued a press release announcing that Rennie's contract would not be renewed. Although Frank Yallop has been widely rumored to be the new coach, no announcement was made and the team said a search for new coach would begin immediately.
Martin Rennie officially out as Vancouver Whitecaps coach
No replacement has been named, but former San Jose Earthquakes boss Frank Yallop has been rumored to be the No. 1 option.
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
“These decisions are never easy and include a lot of thought and analysis,” Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi said in the release. “We have made a number of improvements since joining Major League Soccer; however, in order for this club to continue to grow and reach the next level, now is the right time to make this change and move in a different direction.”
During the press conference, a lack of consistency under Rennie was cited as the main reason the team decided to move in a new direction. Although the Whitecaps went 24-25-19 under Rennie and improved over the previous season each of his two years, the team slumped toward the end each time. Despite making the playoffs in 2012, they finished the season 1-6-3. This year, they ended on a 3-5-3 run and fell three points shy of the playoffs.
Until taking the Whitecaps job, Rennie had been on a unique rise through the coaching ranks. He had gone from the PDL to the USL to the NASL before being hired by the Whitecaps by age 36.
More in Soccer:
See More:
