Just a week after RSL was eliminated by Portland in the MLS Cup playoffs, the club has reportedly found its next permanent head coach.
Luckily, Real didn’t have to look very far.
According to reports by ESPN’s Taylor Twellman, Pablo Mastroeni will have his interim tag removed and become RSL’s permanent head coach.
After a serious competition between suitors, @realsaltlake have agreed in principle to retain the services of Pablo Mastroeni. Multiple teams were in for his services yet #RSL keep their guy. #MLSCup
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) December 11, 2021
Mastroeni took charge of Real Salt Lake in August after Freddy Juarez unexpectedly left the team for an assistant coaching job in Seattle mid-season.
Over the final two-plus months of the season, Mastroeni led the club to a record of seven wins and seven losses as RSL reached the playoffs on the last day of the regular season. Real then upset Seattle and Sporting Kansas City in the playoffs before falling to Portland in the Western Conference final, the team’s deepest playoff run since 2013.
Mastroeni was also reportedly being targeted as a managerial candidate by FC Cincinnati.
Previously, Pablo was the man in charge of Colorado from 2014-17, leading the team to a second-place finish and conference finals appearance during the 2016 season.
