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Seattle • The Seattle Sounders and coach Sigi Schmid are parting ways after eight years.
The team announced Tuesday that Schmid's run as the only coach in the franchise's MLS era has come to an end. Longtime Sounders assistant Brian Schmetzer is immediately taking over as interim head coach.
"Sigi departs the club with our utmost respect and gratitude for his years of service," Sounders owner Adrian Hanauer said in a statement released by the team. "Ultimately the club and Sigi agreed that a change was needed at this time, but Sigi's legacy will always be a part of our history."
Schmid joined the Sounders in 2008 after winning an MLS Cup title with the Columbus Crew. He also won an MLS title with the LA Galaxy in 2002.
A two-time MLS Coach of the Year and recent National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, Schmid has amassed 228 regular-season victories to rank first in MLS history. Schmid's 26 postseason wins in MLS put him behind only LA's Bruce Arena (30).
He was 115-79-56 with the Sounders and led Seattle to seven consecutive MLS Cup playoff appearances. But the Sounders have struggled this season, currently sitting in ninth place in the Western Conference with a 6-12-2 record.
"I want to thank Seattle Sounders FC for the opportunity to lead this club over the past eight years, with particular gratitude to Adrian Hanauer, Joe Roth and the rest of the club's ownership group. I'd also like to thank my coaches and technical staff for the support they've given me, and most importantly I want to thank my players for their tremendous effort throughout the years," Schmid said in a statement.
"My only disappointment is that we were unable to bring home an MLS Cup to our tremendous fans, who have always been supportive through good times and bad," Schmid said.