The longest-serving coach in Major League Soccer, Bob Gansler, on Wednesday resigned as head coach of the Kansas City Wizards. The move is effective immediately. Brian Bliss was named the club's interim head coach.
The decision for the coaching change was apparently made Tuesday night. Wizards general manager Curt Johnson met with Gansler at Gansler's home and asked for his resignation.
"The decision as it relates to [Bob] Gansler -- it was a difficult one, as you can imagine after the last seven years and all of his experience. I think, quite frankly, he is doing the same things that he was doing in 2000, or 2004, 2003 whatever the case may be," said Johnson.
"He is pulling the same strings, he's got the same passion, and certainly he has the same abilities as a head coach but for whatever reasons it was not translating into wins. It is result-related, this business -- it's a cliché, but that is what it is and we have only won six times in our last 26 games and that is not acceptable."
Gansler had regular season record of 86-85-51, and a playoff record of 9-8-3. Prior to joining the Wizards, he coached the United States national team from 1989 to 1991, including the 1990 World Cup in Italy, the first appearance for the USA in 40 years.
"Bob Gansler is, simply put, an extraordinary leader of men," Johnson said. "He is a lifelong student of the game of soccer and in my opinion has been its star pupil in this country. He has used his many talents to coach soccer and we in Kansas City are forever grateful. He is a primary reason for the Wizards biggest moments of success and our organization will always be thankful for his exemplary leadership, passion, and for seven wonderful years."
Gansler had served as the Wizards head coach since April 28, 1999. He led the team to a worst-to-first MLS Cup championship in 2000. The Wizards also advanced to the MLS Cup Final in 2004 despite season-ending injuries to Chris Klein and Preki. D.C. United won the championship 3-2, but earlier that same season, the Wizards claimed another honor winning the U.S. Open Cup.
The Wizards are currently on a six-game losing streak, and have a record of 6-10-2 thus far this campaign. They head into the weekend in a three-way tie for third place in the Eastern Conference.
Gansler will be replaced on an interim basis by Bliss, a former Wizards player who was Gansler's chief assistant. Bliss was also a member of 1990 U.S. World Cup team. His first match in charge will be against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday at Giants Stadium.
"I know that everybody has responsibilities that they need to take care of, and we at the Wizards have one to take care of as well. As you can imagine today is somewhat bittersweet. We as assistant coaches aspire to be head coaches. You hope to get it on your own terms, but when you inherit a job, you hope to inherit it because somebody retires or decides that they are done," Bliss said.
"Today, unfortunately, it went the latter. I am happy to have this opportunity. I want to thank the Hunt family, Curt Johnson and the Wizards organization for instilling the confidence in me to grab a hold of the reins to right the ship so to speak and get us back on the right track to our winning ways."
Johnson said Bliss has been interviewed for head coaching jobs in MLS a number of times without being offered any positions. He was brought on by Gansler when he took charge of the Wizards in 1999. Johnson added Bliss is the head coach "for the foreseeable future," and said there is no search ongoing for another head coach.
"The most important thing in making the decision to bring Brian in as the interim head coach is for the last seven years he has given himself both on and off the field to the organization, he has done everything we have asked of him," Johnson said. "Coupled with his playing background, the last seven years made it a clear choice as to who needed to take the reins. I know he has the respect of our players, staff, and other coaches around the league."
Johnson referred to the day as "bittersweet," and said everyone in the Wizards organization was "working with a heavy heart."
""The Hunt family is grateful to have had Bob and Nancy Gansler as a part of the Wizards organization and we wish them good fortune along life's path," said Wizards founder Lamar Hunt. "During Bob Gansler's period of leadership he accomplished two significant championships for Kansas City, the 2000 MLS Cup and the 2004 U.S. Open Cup. These events are the most recent championships won by any Kansas City sports team and will always be a part of the Bob Gansler heritage in Kansas City."
Thomas Foote is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
