Sports

Miami FC parts with coach Paul Dalglish despite making USL playoffs

Miami FC announced on Nov. 15, 2021 that it parted ways with coach Paul Dalglish.
Miami FC announced on Nov. 15, 2021 that it parted ways with coach Paul Dalglish. Foto: Cortesía: Orovio Photo.

Miami FC announced on Monday that it parted ways with coach and technical director Paul Dalglish, who had been with the club since replacing Italian legend Alessandro Nesta in January 2018.

The news release said the club and Dalglish “reached an agreement for his departure.”

Daglish posted a goodbye on Twitter that read, in part: “To all that fans that have stood by us through thick and thin, thank you…a massive thank you to Riccardo, an amazing owner who wasn’t scared to fight for what he believed…Despite the ups and downs, my main priority was to leave a positive impact on the South Florida soccer community, hopefully I did that.”

The team won back-to-back NPSL national titles and a NISA championship under Dalglish, and this season finished in fourth place in the USL Championship Atlantic Division with 16 wins, 10 losses and six ties. Miami FC reached the conference quarterfinals and was eliminated 1-0 by Louisville City.

Over 91 games as a head coach in four different leagues, Dalglish has a record of 56 wins, 20 losses and 15 ties. He won Sunshine Conference Coach of the Year in 2018 and in 2013 was named USL PDL Coach of the Year.

According to a league source, among the coaches being considered to replace Dalglish are Ian Russell, an assistant coach with MLS club Toronto FC; Inter Miami assistant coach Anthony Pulis; and Kenny Arena, son of New England Revolution coach Bruce Arena. The younger Arena coached a season at FIU and went on to become an assistant coach at Los Angeles Galaxy and Los Angeles FC.

This story was originally published November 15, 2021 at 4:28 PM.

Michelle Kaufman
Miami Herald
Miami Herald sportswriter Michelle Kaufman has covered 14 Olympics, six World Cups, Wimbledon, U.S. Open, NCAA Basketball Tournaments, NBA Playoffs, Super Bowls and has been the soccer writer and University of Miami basketball beat writer for 25 years. She was born in Frederick, Md., and grew up in Miami.
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