San Jose Earthquakes have hired Swedish manager Mikael Stahre as the franchise’s new head coach, the club announced Friday.
The announcement also confirmed former head coach Chris Leitch and assistant coach Alex Covelo have been reassigned to the technical director and director of methodology roles, respectively.
“After a thorough evaluation process, we are excited that Mikael will be joining our club,” said general manager Jesse Fioranelli in a statement published by the club.
“What stood out with Mikael are not only the cups his teams won and his consistency over the past 10+ seasons, but also his ability to identify with our players, our coaching staff and most importantly our goals.”
“I would like to take this occasion to thank Chris [Leitch] for his dedication to the club,” continued Fioranelli in the statement.
“We would not be where we are today without the contributions of Chris and Alex [Covelo] on the coaching staff. I look forward to working with him as he resumes his role as technical director. We are a special club with special people.”
Stahre joins after managing Swedish side BK Häcken during the 2017 league season, recording 17 wins, seven losses, and 11 draws in 35 league matches.
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“I am very proud to be the new head coach of the San Jose Earthquakes and for the opportunity to work with Jesse Fioranelli and the other members of the organization,” said Stahre in the statement.
“I’m going to give everything I have to the Quakes and I am very excited about being a part of the future of the club.”
The Earthquakes finished sixth in the Western Conference in 2017 before being eliminated by the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Knockout Round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.