MLS team San Jose Earthquakes part ways with general manager Jesse Fioranelli

Major League Soccer side San Jose Earthquakes have parted ways with general manager Jesse Fioranelli effective immediately as announced on Tuesday by the club.

A search for his replacement will begin promptly, while technical director Chris Leitch, head coach Matias Almeyda and the rest of the coaching staff continue their roles.

Fioranelli first arrived to San Jose four and a half years ago from AS Roma, in hopes to develop the team’s youth academy into a feeder system for the senior squad. After joining in 2017, Fioranelli led the team to a 41-67-28 regular season record and the MLS Cup playoffs in 2017 and 2020. Now, the Earthquakes are in the search to hire their third general manager since debuting in Major League Soccer as an expansion team in 2008.

“Leaving isn’t easy because I have been very fortunate to work with an incredible group of people whose priority has always been to put the club first,” said Fioranelli.

“I will always be thankful to John Fisher and the board for the opportunity to serve the club. I want to thank every player, coach, staff member and colleague, from the first team to the academy, and the front office with whom I have shared four and a half memorable years.

"Being able to witness the growth of our players, while working with Matias on a unique pathway and a brand of football that goes far beyond the tactics of the game, makes me hopeful that I am leaving our club with a bright future ahead.

"I take with me invaluable learning moments from the experiences we made together on the field, with our fans and inside the community. It has been an honor to embrace a bigger cause together with you.” 

Despite the major distraction, club owner John Fischer insists the team’s focus remains on clinching a playoff spot. The Earthquakes currently stand in 11th place on the Western Conference table, with only 10 points in 11 matches played.

"With the majority of the season remaining, our focus is on earning a playoff spot, and we have confidence that Matias, our coaching staff and our players, who led us to the playoffs last year, can turn this around and make that happen,” Fisher said in a statement.