The New England Revolution placed coach and general manager Bruce Arena on administrative leave amid Major League Soccer’s investigation into allegations of “insensitive and inappropriate remarks,” the team said Tuesday.
“The organization takes any allegations of workplace misconduct extremely seriously and is working closely with the league and fully cooperating with its investigation,” the team said in a statement.
The winningest coach in MLS history (262) and former coach of the U.S. men’s national team, Arena is in his fifth season with the Revolution, who are 12-4-7 (43 points), good for second in the Eastern Conference.
Club Statement: pic.twitter.com/CqyRt1tisg
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) August 1, 2023
New England hosts Atlas of Liga MX in Leagues Cup action on Thursday in Foxborough, Mass.
Arena, 71, did not attend team activities on Sunday and Monday, The Athletic reported Tuesday, adding that he would not be with the team for an unspecified time. Instead, technical director Curt Onalfo and assistant coach Richie Williams would be running the team in the interim, according to the report.
Arena was hired as the club’s sporting director and head coach in May 2019. He guided the Revolution to a league-record 73 points, 22 wins and the club’s first Supporters’ Shield title in 2021.
He has five MLS Cup crowns to his credit (1996, 1997, 2011, 2012, 2014), four MLS Coach of the Year honors and four MLS Supporters’ Shields.
He coached the USMNT from 1998-2006 and 2016-17, with a quarterfinal appearance in the 2002 FIFA Men’s World Cup and an appearance in the 2006 World Cup.
–Field Level Media