The Hartford Athletic soccer club says it’s “mutually agreed to part ways” with it’s first-ever head coach, Jimmy Nielsen.
The Division II professional soccer franchise, part of the United Soccer League (USL), announced Nielsen’s departure after the team’s final game this season on Saturday, which ended in a 2-1 loss to Jamaican club Portmore United FC at Dillon Stadium.
The Athletic finished its first regular season in the USL with eight wins, 21 losses and five ties. That ranked the team second-to-last, or 17th, in the league’s Eastern Conference.
“We would like to thank Jimmy for his contributions to our organization and all his efforts in launching our club in its inaugural season,” Hartford Athletic CEO and Chairman Chairman Bruce Mandell said in a statement. “Jimmy has provided the foundation for our club, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
Nielsen, 42, was hired by the Athletic after leading USL’s Oklahoma City Energy FC during its inaugural season in 2014 to 2017.
He also played professional soccer for 19 years in Denmark, England and in Major League Soccer (MLS).
On Sunday, Nielsen on Twitter thanked the franchise and the fanbase, and wished the team well going forward.
The team said it will begin an international search for Nielsen’s replacement.
Although the Athletic missed the USL playoffs by a wide margin in its first season, it still drew more than 5,000 fans per game at the 5,500-seat Dillon Stadium.
