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Sweden's Mellberg fired as coach of MLS St. Louis City / Photo: © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
NYSE - LSE
Sweden's Mellberg fired as coach of MLS St. Louis City
St. Louis City has fired Swedish manager Olof Mellberg as head coach, the MLS club announced, with second-team coach David Critchley taking over his duties until a replacement is named.
The move, revealed late Tuesday night, came after City had started the MLS campaign with two wins and five drawn in 15 matches, leaving the club on 11 points and 14th in the Western Conference.
St. Louis have netted only 11 goals so far this season, third-worst in the league.
Mellberg, 47, was hired last November after leaving Swedish side IF Brommapojkarna. His playing career as a defender included stops at Aston Villa, Juventus and Villareal.
"The decision to part ways with Olof goes beyond just results," said St. Louis City sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel.
"We've analyzed the team's performance across a number of factors, including the need to execute against a style of play that led to the team's initial success and has been part of our DNA for four years.
"We have certain standards we need to meet and believe a coaching change was necessary to improve our overall performance and return to a winning culture. Our fans deserve a better performing team and we intend to give them one."
Critchley, from England, guided the top City development club to six wins and a draw in 11 starts this year with 20 goals.
Z.Phillips--SFF
