The Colorado Rapids announced today that the club has parted ways with head coach Pablo Mastroeni, effective immediately. The club also announced that Steve Cooke has been appointed to the position on an interim basis, while current assistant coach Conor Casey and goalkeeper coach Chris Sharpe will remain in their current roles.
“We would like to thank Pablo for his contributions to this organization, both as a player and as head coach,” said Rapids Sporting Director and Interim General Manager, Pádraig Smith. “He has been dedicated to the growth of this club for over 15 years and played an instrumental role in many of our successes.
“Unfortunately, we have fallen short of our expectations, and this decision was taken in the best interest of the players and the organization as a whole.”
After a 16-year MLS career, Mastroeni was appointed head coach of the Rapids prior to the 2014 season. He would go on to post a 39-54-35 record, including a 6-12-4 record this season. Mastroeni led the club to a trip to the Western Conference Championship last season.
Prior to arriving in Colorado in 2010, Cooke served as a development academy coach at Sheffield Wednesday, then of the English Premier League, from 1990-96. Additionally, he spent 10 years as Assistant Director of Coaching for Sereno Soccer Club and SC del Sol in Phoenix.
Cooke joined the Rapids Development Academy in 2010. Along with Development Academy responsibilities, Cooke was appointed to Oscar Pareja’s staff in 2012 to work with the first team. In 2014, Cooke was then appointed as first team assistant coach to Mastroeni and had been in that role since.