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Claudio Reyna resigned as Austin FCthe sports director of MLS the party announced Thursday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Reyna has moved into the role of technical advisor with the club to “ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities”.
- Coach Josh Wolff will become the team’s interim head football coach and lead its athletic department, while director of player personnel Sean Rubio has been promoted to interim athletic director.
- The move comes three weeks after it was revealed that Reyna’s wife, Danielle (also a former USWNT player), told US Soccer sporting director Earnie Stewart — who also announced Thursday he leaves his role — about U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter kicking his now-wife in 1991. Reyna also said he talked to Stewart about his frustrations about their son, Gio, getting limited playing time in World Cup.
The back story
Austin finished the 2022 season, its second ever, in second place in the Western Conference. The team advanced to the Western Conference Finals before losing to LAFC.
What should be taken for the decision
The timing of Reyna’s decision to step down as athletic director certainly makes it seem related to the issues he and his family have been embroiled in regarding the U.S. men’s national team and Berhalter. Danielle Reyna’s tip led to an investigation of Berhalter and that incident. In its statement announcing the investigation, US Soccer said it expanded the scope of the inquiry to cover communications between someone outside US Soccer and federation employees. Claudio Reyna wrote in a statement that he texted Stewart and then-U.S. Soccer GM Brian McBride with his frustrations about Gio’s role, and Athletics confirmed that Claudio had also sent messages to Gio when he participated in the 2019 U-17 World Cup.
The ties between Claudio Reyna and Berhalter run deep – the families have known each other for decades and both grew up playing football together and are linked professionally. Austin FC owner Anthony Precourt hired Berhalter as the club’s coach and sporting director The crew of Columbus and Austin coach Wolff was an assistant coach under Berhalter both in Columbus and with the American team. It is unclear exactly what this advisory role will be that Claudio Reyna will fill for Austin, but it is not too surprising that Reyna is not moving forward as the club’s sporting director. – Tenorio
How the move affects Austin
While Claudio Reyna’s role at the club wasn’t the main area of focus as the Reyna-Berhalter situation came into the public eye, it certainly affected the MLS side. The situation was entirely personal and could have opened the door for Austin to keep Reyna in her top sports role. However, the intense focus on the entire situation cast a shadow over his employer, which could be an unwelcome display as the team looks to build on last year’s run to the conference finals.
The fact that both Wolff and Rubio will share Reyna’s responsibilities leaves open the question of whether or not he will be permanently replaced by a figure in the dual role or if they will part ways with two new hires (or one of Rubio and Wolff who hold the additional duties while the other is handed over for a new appointment).
As Austin debates the question, Rubio in particular should have a golden chance to audition for the role. Rubio joined Austin as director of player personnel in August 2020 after previously working for Toronto FC, San Jose earthquakes and the US Soccer Coaches Education office. He won’t have many decisions to make in the near future as Austin’s roster is largely set, save for the need for depth in central defense and midfield. However, the end of a window never happens in isolation and how he embraces the added responsibility as Austin plans for the summer could help guide the urgency and direction the club go in to replace Reyna. – Rueter
What are they saying?
“I am grateful that Anthony and the organization have given me the opportunity to reduce my role and responsibilities while continuing to contribute to the success of a club that I love,” Reyna said in a statement. “I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved, but I’m looking forward to a less consuming pace of work that still allows me to help the club’s continued development.”
“I’m confident in the leadership team we have at our club,” Precourt said. “Josh is a tremendous leader and is without question one of the best coaches in North America. Working alongside Sean, whose talent and experience have been absolutely critical in building our roster over the past two seasons, I have every confidence that we have the people in place to continue to compete for trophies and make Austin proud .”
Required reading
(Photo: Mike Stobe / International Champions Cup / Getty Images)
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