MLS: San Jose Part Ways with Manager Frank Yallop

Just hours before the weekend began, the San Jose Earthquakes announced that they were going to part ways with longtime manager Frank Yallop, per sjearthquakes.com. 

In a statement released by Yallop through the club, it was learned that the decision was made between himself, club president Dave Kaval and general manager John Doyle. 

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“Dave, John and I met earlier this week and we mutually agreed that it was time for the club and me to move in different directions..... The ownership group has been very supportive during my time here. I would also like to thank Dave and John for all their efforts to help me put the best team on the field, while also building a professional atmosphere for both players and staff." 

-Statement from Frank Yallop via sjearthquakes.com (June 7, 2013)

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Yallop had been with San Jose since 2008 when the club was reborn in Major League Soccer after the previous franchise under the same name moved to Houston in 2006.

Last season was the most successful season of Yallop's managerial reign, as he led the Earthquakes to the Supporters' Shield title. The 2012 edition of the club also reached the semifinals of the Western Conference playoffs before they were eliminated by the Los Angeles Galaxy.  

This season, Yallop's Earthquakes side has failed to produce a strong spell of results, with three wins and six draws spread sporadically between six losses. 

Recently, the Earthquakes have lost three of their last four matches, including Saturday's loss to Real Salt Lake that saw the club get outplayed for an entire 90 minutes. 

With Yallop now out as manager, Mark Watson will take over as interim manager. Watson was an assistant on Yallop's staff and will be in charge of the club for the remainder of the season. 

Watson's first chance to right the ship in San Jose will come on June 15 when the Earthquakes visit Dick's Sporting Goods Park to play the Colorado Rapids. 

With his departure, Yallop became the second reigning Coach of the Year winner in a major American sports league to be let go this week. George Karl of the NBA's Denver Nuggets was let go earlier this week. 

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