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Brad Friedel has been fired as the head coach of the New England Revolution after just 46 games in charge. Assistant coach Mike Lapper will serve as the team’s interim head coach as the club searches for a full-time replacement.
Friedel became the seventh head coach in Revs history on Nov. 9, 2017. The former netminder instituted a high press system that surprised opponents during the early months of the 2018 season. Teams soon adjusted, however, and the Revs failed to make the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
Friedel’s second season didn’t bring much promise, as the team struggled to gain any type of momentum. The offense and defense were underwhelming and the Revs didn’t collect their first win until their fifth game of the season.
Friedel amassed a 12-21-13 record with the Revolution, which includes a 2-8-2 mark in 2019. The Revs conceded 18 goals during Friedel’s final four games in charge, a stat that shows that a change was needed.
Friedel isn’t the only coach on the way out, as assistant coach Marcelo Neveleff will depart after the Revs’ game against the LA Galaxy on Jun. 2. Neveleff has taken a job as the Dominican Football Federation’s technical director and Under-23 head coach.