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San Jose Earthquakes

Frank Yallop Steps Down as Earthquakes Coach to Become Head Coach of Canadian National Team

December 16, 2003 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


San Jose (Tuesday, December 16, 2003) - The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that Frank Yallop has stepped down as head coach of the team to become the new head coach of the Canadian National Team. Yallop announced his decision today at a press conference at Swangard Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia.

"I enjoyed my three seasons in San Jose tremendously," said Yallop. "These past three years have been unbelievable. I would like to thank Dominic Kinnear, who did an outstanding job as assistant coach and Tim Hanley for his excellent work with our goalkeepers. I would also like to thank General Manager Johnny Moore, the players, the front office staff and the fans for their support during my time here. The fans have been great to me since I first arrived and I want to thank them for their loyalty and for sticking with this team no matter the situation."

During his three seasons as head coach of the Earthquakes (2001-2003), Yallop won two MLS Cup Championships while posting a 41-25-18 record, which was the best mark in MLS during that stretch. Yallop, 39, was also named MLS Coach of the Year in 2001 after taking over a team that posted a league-worst 7-17-8 record in 2000 and leading them to the MLS Cup Championship in 2001. The former Canadian international defender leaves San Jose as the all-time leader in wins in club history (41).

"During the past three seasons, Frank has done an outstanding job here in San Jose," said Earthquakes General Manager Johnny Moore. "Obviously, we are disappointed to lose a great coach and a great person; however, we understand his decision and we fully support him. We know that he has strong roots in Canada and we wish him all the best there. We look forward to maintaining a great relationship with Frank and the Canadian Soccer Association."

Under Yallop, the Quakes broke numerous club records, including most points in a season (51), fewest goals allowed in a season (29), longest road unbeaten streak (7), longest unbeaten streak (12), and most consecutive wins at home (12). Many players flourished under Yallop's tutelage as the Quakes had 13 players named to the All-Star team in Yallop's three seasons and had five members selected to the MLS Best XI. Seven Earthquakes players also earned their first call-up to the senior men's national team for training camps during Yallop's tenure in San Jose.

"This really was a very difficult decision for me, but I felt like taking the national team job for Canada was an opportunity that I could not pass up," continued Yallop. "I wish the entire Earthquakes organization continued success in the future and I will always be a supporter of the San Jose Earthquakes and MLS."

Moore said, "On a personal note, I have really enjoyed working with Frank. I will always have an enormous amount of respect for him and what he accomplished here. Frank and I have always agreed that no one person is bigger than the club, so we have to move on and we have already started our coaching search. We hope to finalize this search in the next few weeks."

As part of the agreement for Yallop's departure, the Earthquakes will also host the Canadian National Team on Saturday, June 5 at Spartan Stadium. That match will be Canada's final tune-up prior to the start of World Cup Qualifying.

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