The unthinkable happened as today the Portland Timbers announced that manager Giovanni Savarese is no longer at the helm, per the club sources today.
For now, assistant Miles Joseph will serve as interim manager for the remainder of the 2023 MLS campaign.
“Gio has been an exceptional coach for the Timbers and a joy to work with,” owner Merritt Paulson shared. “He has achieved some fabulous results during his tenure with the club, including two MLS Cup appearances and the MLS is Back championship. I want to thank Gio for all that he has given us. He will be missed.”
Gio since his arrival in Portland delivered two MLS Cup Finals in 2018 and 2021 with a record of 74 wins, 62 losses, and 47 draws in five plus seasons. However, this season under Gio has had a couple of player incidents and the club is in 12th place with a record of 6 wins, 10 losses, and 8 draws with 26 points.
The man won one Cascadia Cup and winning the MLS is Back Tournament back in 2020. Gio became one of the winningest managers in the Portland Timbers history. Leading the club to four consecutive postseason appearances between 2018 and 2021.
“We are incredibly grateful for the commitment that Gio has given to the Portland Timbers over that last six seasons, and it has been an honor to have had the chance to work with him,” said “We are incredibly grateful for the commitment that Gio has given to the Portland Timbers over that last six seasons, and it has been an honor to have had the chance to work with him,” said general manager Ned Grabavoy. “His success during his time with the club speaks for itself, and we wish Gio the best moving forward.
“I believe the club is ready for a new direction and voice to help lead us forward. Miles Joseph will take over as interim head coach as we begin our process to identify who will help lead our team in the years ahead. This moment serves as a chance for our club to reset, with a goal of reestablishing our ability to consistently compete at the highest level.”
Appointed as head coach on Dec. 18, 2017, Savarese, a native of Caracas, Venezuela, joined the Timbers after spending the previous five seasons as head coach and sporting director of the New York Cosmos (NASL).
Giovanni Savarese is he fifth manager fired in this 2023 campaign joining the likes of Ezra Hendrickson from the Chicago Fire, Bob Bradley from Toronto, Gerhard Struber from the New York Red Bulls, and Phil Neville from Miami FC.
Source: Portland Timbers Communications
Portland Timbers
Western Conference
