Sarachan relieved of Fire coaching duties

Chicago Fire Media Relations

BRIDGEVIEW, IL - Chicago Fire Soccer has announced that Dave Sarachan has been relieved of his head coaching duties, effective immediately. Denis Hamlett, an assistant coach for the Fire for 10 seasons, will take over as interim head coach as a search begins for Sarachan's replacement. Hamlett will make his debut on the Fire bench Friday night in an international friendly against MKS Cracovia of Poland at TOYOTA PARK (8:00 p.m. CT).

"We are appreciative of everything Dave has done for this organization - he has been a true professional in every sense of the word," said Fire President/CEO John Guppy. "At the same time, we realize that the team is not headed in the direction we would like and felt a change was necessary."

The Fire are winless in seven of their last eight games (1-6-1), having dropped from first place to fifth in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS).

Sarachan (pronounced SARA-kin) owns a career record of 55-50-31 (.518) in five seasons, and among MLS coaches, ranks 12th in all-time in winning percentage (10 wins minimum) and 12th in overall wins. Under Sarachan's direction, the Fire captured two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup titles (2003, 2006) and advanced to postseason play three times (5-3-1/.611) in the four years. Sarachan was named MLS Coach of the Year in 2003 after leading the Fire to the league's best record and a Supporters Shield title.

MEDIA ADVISORY
John Guppy will address media at a 12:30 p.m. CT news conference today at TOYOTA PARK.

Select players will be available for interviews following practice at the TOYOTA PARK practice field, starting around at 1:00 p.m.

TRANSACTION:
CHICAGO FIRE - Head Coach Dave Sarachan fired; Denis Hamlett named interim head coach.