Nicol parts ways with Revs

Steve Nicol has left the New England Revolution after over a decade with the Major League Soccer side.

New England announced on their website that the 49-year-old former Scotland and Liverpool defender had met with Revolution chiefs Robert and Jonathan Kraft on Monday, where it was mutually decided to part ways.

Nicol, who departs as the longest-serving coach with a single club in MLS history, said: "I'm very thankful to the Krafts for giving me the opportunity to be their head coach.

"I've had some great times and been involved with some great players and great people. My family will always remain part of the Kraft family."

Nicol first took charge on an interim basis for three games at the end of the 1999 season and then, after being appointed assistant coach at the start of the 2002 campaign, he was again promoted to interim coach seven matches into the term.

He ended the season by being named MLS coach of the year after leading the team to the MLS Cup, where they were beaten by the Los Angeles Galaxy, and was subsequently appointed to the position full-time and had been in charge since.

However, the Revolution failed to qualify for the post-season in either of the last two campaigns, and the two parties have now decided to go their separate ways.

Jonathan Kraft said: "Robert and I met with Stevie today and we had a productive discussion about this past season and the direction the club needs to go in the future.

"We all agreed a change of direction was needed to reverse the trend of the past couple of years.

"Stevie was a successful head coach and a tremendous ambassador for the Revolution for the past decade and set a high standard for success, leading us to four conference titles in six years. We thank him for all of his contributions."