Silverbacks Announce Eric Wynalda Will Not Return Next Year

Published on December 4, 2014 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


Atlanta, Georgia (December 4, 2014) - With the Atlanta Silverbacks set to return in 2015, President Andy Smith has begun the process of building the team for next season. In what is expected to be a busy offseason, Smith today announced that Technical Director Eric Wynalda will not return in 2015.

"We want to thank Eric for everything he did for the Silverbacks," Smith said. "We understand his desire to stay closer to his family, and want to once again recognize his commitment to our club for the past three seasons. Not only did he help lead us to the 2013 NASL championship game, but he also identified players who will continue to be the core of our team next year."

"The job was always going to be a challenge and I enjoyed that part of it," Wynalda said. "In truth it was an amazing experience, not just for me but for some players who got a chance to play in a professional set up. I will miss being there immensely but the circumstances were just too taxing on my family and I need to be here.

"I appreciate the opportunity from Andy Smith and Boris Jerkunica, and of course the Hardin family. And outside of the team, more than anything I'll miss the fans. They deserve a team and I'm happy they have the Silverbacks to continue to support. I wish the organization all the best in the future."

Wynalda joined the Silverbacks in July 2012 as interim coach and advisor. After guiding the team - along with coach Brian Haynes - to the 2013 NASL Spring Championship and 2013 Soccer Bowl, where the team fell to the NY Cosmos, Wynalda took over the club's coaching responsibilities before the 2014 season. He implemented an unprecedented system that had him manage the team from a distance, with his staff running early week practices and Wynalda commuting from his home in Los Angeles for key practices and all matches.

The former U.S. Men's National Team star, who also serves as a TV analyst for FOX Sports, began to see his schedule shift as the season wore on and stepped down from his head coaching role in July 2014 after leading the team to the Quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. He remained as the club's technical director for the fall season.

The Silverbacks closed 2014 with Alejandro Pombo serving as interim head coach for the final four games. Smith said Pombo is one of several candidates the team is considering for the head coaching position in 2015.

"We have had great interest from very qualified individuals to manage our team," Smith said. "We are going through the process of evaluating all candidates in order to identify the right person to lead our team next year, and expect to have a coach in place in the near future."

Season Tickets are on sale now, with Early Bird pricing available until December 17.

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