Michael Burns has followed Brad Friedel out the door. (Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports)
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Only four days after giving head coach Brad Friedel the heave-ho, the New England Revolution fired Michael Burns as general manager Monday.
Burns has been the forefront of the ire by Revs fans for the team’s poor performance the past two seasons.
The Revs are 3-8-2 this season after last weekend’s 3-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes as interim head coach Mike Lapper ran the show. New England is 13-21-13 since the start of the 2019 MLS season.
“As an original Revolution player and throughout his time with the club’s front office, Michael has always been a terrific ambassador for the club,” Revolution president Brian Bilello said. “His impact on the team and organization has been felt in many ways and we are grateful for his commitment and service to the New England Revolution.”
Burns’ tenure as general manager ends after more than seven seasons in the role, to which he was appointed in November 2011 after spending the previous four years as vice president of player personnel. The former Revolution defender and team captain first joined the front office as director of soccer in 2005, following a decorated playing career that included seven seasons in MLS (1996-2002) and 75 caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team.
Shortly after assuming the general manager role, Burns helped the Revolution rebound from a five-win season in 2011 to reach the MLS Cup Playoffs in three straight years from 2013-15, including a trip to the MLS Cup Final in 2014. In addition to winning the club’s fifth Eastern Conference Championship that season, the Marlborough, Mass. native also helped the Revs reach the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final in 2016.
With regard to next steps for the club, Bilello said, “In light of recent results and the team’s on-field direction over the last few seasons, we felt it was time to take the soccer side of the organization in a different direction. We expect to make an announcement related to leadership of the soccer organization in the coming days.”
