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MLS Portland Timbers

Portland Timbers Part Ways with Head Coach Giovanni Savarese

August 21, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers have parted ways with head coach Giovanni Savarese, the club announced today.

Assistant coach Miles Joseph will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2023 MLS season.

"Gio has been an exceptional coach for the Timbers and a joy to work with," owner Merritt Paulson shared. "He has achieved some fabulous results during his tenure with the club, including two MLS Cup appearances and the MLS is Back championship. I want to thank Gio for all that he has given us. He will be missed."

Savarese joined the club prior to the 2018 MLS season, compiling a 74-62-47 record in five-plus seasons at the helm. The Timbers (6-10-8, 26 pts) sit in 12th place in the Western Conference standings with 10 matches remaining in the 2023 campaign.

Savarese led the Timbers to two MLS Cup finals (2018, 2021) and the team won the MLS is Back Tournament in 2020. The winningest coach in franchise history, Savarese guided Portland to the postseason four consecutive times between 2018 and 2021.

"We are incredibly grateful for the commitment that Gio has given to the Portland Timbers over that last six seasons, and it has been an honor to have had the chance to work with him," said general manager Ned Grabavoy. "His success during his time with the club speaks for itself, and we wish Gio the best moving forward.

"I believe the club is ready for a new direction and voice to help lead us forward. Miles Joseph will take over as interim head coach as we begin our process to identify who will help lead our team in the years ahead. This moment serves as a chance for our club to reset, with a goal of reestablishing our ability to consistently compete at the highest level."

Appointed as head coach on Dec. 18, 2017, Savarese, a native of Caracas, Venezuela, joined the Timbers after spending the previous five seasons as head coach and sporting director of the New York Cosmos (NASL).

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