Nicol’s run ends with Revolution

October 25, 2011|By Frank Dell’Apa, Globe Staff

STEVE NICOL Four MLS Cup finals

Steve Nicol brought stability and success to the Revolution as coach for 10 of the team’s 16 seasons of existence, a reign that ended yesterday.

Nicol, 49, and investor/operators Robert and Jonathan Kraft “mutually decided to part ways,’’ according to a team release.

“At the end of the day, we pretty much had great years here,’’ said Nicol, who was the longest-tenured coach in MLS history. “If the team is not doing well, that’s part of the game. It was a good time, a good experience, and there were certainly more good days than bad ones.

“I have nothing but good things to say about the Krafts. [Yesterday] wasn’t easy for them, either, but we parted on good terms and I thank them for giving me the chance to be head coach. I worked with a lot of good players and good people and it’s time to move on.’’

Nicol guided the Revolution to four MLS Cup finals (2002, 2005-07) and eight successive playoff berths. But the Revolution slumped to records of 9-16-5 in 2010 and 5-16-13 this year.

Nicol, a legendary performer for Liverpool FC in the 1980s and ’90s, has a 112-108-81 record, fourth on the MLS wins list and second in games coached.

Nicol said it’s too early to predict what’s ahead.

“It’s not something I’ve had any time to think about,’’ he said. “The only thing I’m thinking is that I was lucky to be here for 10 years and do some of the things I’ve done. Obviously, not winning the MLS Cup - sometimes you don’t always get what you deserve, and, certainly, the teams in those finals deserved to win.’’

Nicol moved to the United States in 1999 to coach the Boston Bulldogs, a minor league team based in Framingham. Former Revolution general manager Brian O’Donovan hired Nicol as interim coach for the final two games of the 1999 season, and then offered him the position on a permanent basis. But Nicol turned down the proposal, saying he lacked the required experience.

In 2002, Nicol was named Revolution assistant coach and, after the team started the season with a 2-4-1 record, he again took over as interim head coach, replacing Fernando Clavijo. That marked the Revolution’s fifth coaching change in their first seven seasons.

“Every club needs stability and direction and I think I brought that,’’ Nicol said. “Otherwise, we would not have had the success we had. I’m really proud of that, for the supporters and the Krafts.’’

The Revolution were on the verge of postseason elimination in 2002, but rallied to close the season with a 5-0-1 record, advancing against the odds to the MLS Cup final. The Revolution lost, 1-0, in two overtimes to the Los Angeles Galaxy before 61,316 spectators at Gillette Stadium.