Union part ways with front office executive Nick Sakiewicz
Nick Sakiewicz was the public face of the Union since well before the team's first Major League Soccer season in 2010. Eventually, he and chairman/owner Jay Sugarman had different visions on the direction of the team.
Nick Sakiewicz was the public face of the Union since well before the team's first Major League Soccer season in 2010. Eventually, he and chairman/owner Jay Sugarman had different visions on the direction of the team.
That cost Sakiewicz his job as chief executive officer and operating partner on Thursday. Sugarman, who works in New York and had limited contact over the years with the media was expansive during a Friday conference call in explaining Sakiewicz's ouster.
Sakiewicz, a former professional goalkeeper, was often criticized for meddling too much in player acquisition. And as the Union has just three games left in a disappointing 9-15-7 season, Sugarman felt a change was desperately needed.
"It was clear we necessarily weren't on the same page," Sugarman said on Friday in a conference call.
Fan backlash reached its peak earlier this year when the influential Sons of Ben fan club staged a pregame protest march before a May 17 home game against D.C. United, demanding better management. Sakiewicz bore the brunt of the blame. That left an impression on Sugarman.
"It is never good when fans aren't happy and I do take that as one of the signals we have to do better," Sugarman said.
Union chief revenue officer Dave Rowan will assume day-to-day business operations in the interim. Sakiewicz was very involved in player personnel and Sugarman said the No. 1 priority is to name a sporting director to serve in that capacity. Chris Albright is the technical director, but the Union wants somebody overseeing the entire operation.
A report earlier in the week said the Union would hire Octavio Zambrano in that position.
Sugarman said nothing has been decided but indicated that Zambrano, who has extensive MLS experience, is in the running.
"We have several candidates, including Octavio," Sugarman said.
While not saying for sure, Sugarman hinted strongly that coach Jim Curtin would return. Sugarman says the sporting director, who he hopes to hire before the end of the year, would pick the new coach.
"The good news is that almost all the candidates I talked to are definitely going to keep Jim in place," Sugarman said. "I have almost no doubt and he should have no doubt that he should be preparing to be our coach next season."
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