Chicago Fire fires coach Veljko Paunovic and his staff after 4 seasons
By Jeremy Mikula
Veljko Paunovic has been fired as the Chicago Fire's head coach after four seasons in charge.
"Four years ago, Pauno and the staff accepted a challenge to help establish a football culture at the Fire," team President and general manager Nelson Rodriguez said Wednesday in a statement. "Their efforts helped revitalize the club with a competitive spirit and a dedication to always putting football first. Pauno and his staff were relentless in their devotion to the club and for that we are immeasurably thankful."
The Fire also parted ways with assistant coaches Marko Mitrovic and Eric Gehrig and goalkeeper coach Aleksandar Saric.
Other members of Paunovic's staff — including strength and conditioning coach Raphael Fevre and head athletic trainer Reade Whitney — had their contracts terminated, but the Fire said they could be retained by the next coach.
Paunovic, 42, went 41-58-37 in four Major League Soccer seasons. The Fire made the playoffs just once during his tenure and were eliminated in the first round with a 4-0 home defeat to the New York Red Bulls in 2017.
The Fire fared better in the U.S. Open Cup, reaching the semifinals in 2016 and 2018, but made an early exit last season at the hands of second-division St. Louis FC.
The news broke Wednesday morning in a report by by The Athletic's Paul Tenorio and Sam Stejskal and later was confirmed by the Tribune.
As recently as last month, Rodriguez indicated Paunvoic — who signed a two-year extension last offseason — would return.
Chicago Fire owner Joe Mansueto (left) chats with coach Veljko Paunovic in the tunnel at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview in September. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)
In September, owner Joe Mansueto stated his belief in Rodriguez and Paunovic.
"After the season ends, like any offseason, we'll take stock," Mansueto told the Tribune. "I've gotten to know both Nelson and Pauno over the past year, they're terrific people. I believe in both of them. But we'll look at the whole organization. The message is we want to invest in the club and make sure we've got the best people in every role. The goal is to win. ... As part of that you need world-class people in every role."
Paunovic came to the Fire after leading Serbia to the FIFA U-20 World Cup title. He was on hand in October as the Fire announced their return to Soldier Field, saying he hoped to come back for 2020.
"I would love to come back," Paunovic said at the time. "I would love to take over here because I feel this is a new beginning."
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