Claudio Reina has stepped down as sporting director of Austin FC, MLS officials announced Thursday. Here’s what you should know:
- Reyna transitioned to the club’s technical advisor role to “ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities”.
- Coach Josh Wolff became the team’s interim chief football officer and head of the sports department, while player personnel director Sean Rubio was promoted to interim sporting director.
- The move comes as Reyna’s wife, Daniel (also a former USWNT player), told U.S. soccer sports director Ernie Stewart (who also announced he was leaving his role on Thursday) and U.S. coach Greg Verhalter. It comes three weeks after he was revealed to have spoken out about kicking his current wife. 1991. Reyna also spoke with Stewart about his son Gio’s frustration with limited playing time at the World Cup.
inside story
Austin finished the 2022 season in second place in the Western Conference. The team made it to the Western Conference Finals before losing to LAFC.
how to make a decision
The timing of Reyna’s decision to step down as sports director certainly appears to be related to the issues he and his family have had with the US Men’s National Team and Verhalter. Danielle Reyna’s information led to an investigation into Berhalter and the case. In a statement announcing the investigation, US Soccer said it expanded the scope of the query to cover communications between non-US Soccer persons and federation employees. In a statement, Claudio Reina wrote that he texted Stewart and then-U.S. soccer general manager Brian McBride complaining about Gio’s role. athletic Claudio confirmed that he also sent a text about Geo when he attended the 2019 Under-17 World Cup.
The connection between Claudio Reyna and Berhalter runs deep. The families have known each other for decades and the two grew up playing football together and are bonded professionally. Austin FC owner Anthony his precourt hired Verhalter as coach and sporting director of the Columbus crew, while Austin coach Wolfe served as assistant his coach under Verhalter on both the Columbus and U.S. teams. rice field. It’s unclear if Claudio Reyna will exactly fill his role as Austin’s advisor, but it shouldn’t be too surprising that Reyna hasn’t moved forward as the club’s sporting director. Tenorio
Impact of this move on Austin
Claudio Reina’s role at the club was not the main focus as Reina and Bellhalter’s situation was in the public eye, but it definitely made an impact on the MLS side. The situation is entirely personal and may have opened the door for Austin to keep Reyna in the sport’s top role. Overshadowed, it may have been an unwanted sideshow as the team tried to bolster its advance to last year’s conference finals.
The fact that both Wolf and Rubio share Reyna’s responsibilities depends on whether he will be replaced permanently by one person in a dual role, or whether he will be replaced by two new employers (or Rubio and Wolfe’s one). (maintained by additional duties while others yield for new appointments).
As Austin ponders the question, Rubio in particular should have a great chance of auditioning for the role. Joined Austin in August 2020 as Athlete Personnel Director. With Austin’s roster pretty much set, there won’t be many decisions he’ll have to make in the near future, aside from potentially needed depth in central defense and midfield. Still, the end of a window doesn’t happen in isolation, and how he accepts increased responsibility as Austin’s plans for the summer will guide the urgency and direction the club will take to replace Reyna. It may be useful for — router
what they say
“I am grateful to Anthony and the organization for giving me the opportunity to reduce my role and responsibilities while continuing to contribute to the success of the club I love,” Reina said. But I’m looking forward to doing less of the wasted work so I can help the ongoing development of the club.”
“I have confidence in the leadership team that is in place at our club,” Precourt said. “Josh is a great leader and arguably one of the best coaches in North America. I’m sure we have the talent to make Austin proud.”
must read
(Photo: Mike Stove/International Champions Cup/Getty Images)
