Whitecaps say firing coaching staff before season’s end gives them a jump on next year
VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps say they are not giving up on this season despite firing their head coach with five games to go.
Team president Bob Lenarduzzi said Tuesday that the decision to dismiss head coach Carl Robinson and his assistants now instead of at season’s end gives the Major League Soccer club time prepare for next year.
“What we want to try to do is ensure that we give ourselves the best chance possible for a playoff spot, and then beyond that, we want to get a head start on next year,” Lenarduzzi said. “The fact we can do that now and start to look at what we are looking for in that head coach, I think is beneficial in the long haul.”
The Whitecaps, who are eighth in the MLS Western Conference with 40 points from an 11-11-7 record, sit four points behind the Seattle Sounders who hold the sixth and final playoff spot.