The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Tuesday that the club will not renew the contract of head coach Martin Rennie beyond the 2013 season, bringing an end two his two-year tenure in British Columbia.
Rennie led the Whitecaps to their first-ever playoff berth after a fifth-place finish in the Western Conference in 2012, but failed to repeat the feat in crowded 2013 field despite earning five more points than in 2012 and boasting the services of Budweiser Golden Boot winner Camilo. He leaves Vancouver with a 24-25-19 record in league play and 28-27-22 record across all competitions.
“On behalf of the club, I would like to thank Martin for his work over the past two-plus seasons not only on the pitch, but in our front office, in our community, and with our partners,” said Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi in a statement released by the club.
“These decisions are never easy and include a lot of thought and analysis," Lenarduzzi added." We have made a number of improvements since joining Major League Soccer; however, in order for this club to continue to grow and reach the next level, now is the right time to make this change and move in a different direction.”
The club also announced that the search for a new coach will commence immediately.
"I would like to thank Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s ownership group for giving me the opportunity to be the head coach of the team for the last two years," Rennie said in a separate statement.
"...Every decision we have made in the last two years has been with the long-term success of the club in mind, and I am convinced that the team is now poised to contend for trophies at every level and meet the expectations that everyone in Vancouver has."
