New England Revolution assistant coach Paul Mariner has resigned his position, effective Saturday following the match against the Chicago Fire, in order to pursue a coaching position abroad.
Mariner has spent six seasons with the Revolution, joining head coach Steve Nicol's staff in the spring of 2004. During his tenure in New England, the Revolution advanced to three MLS Cup championship matches, four Eastern Conference Championship games, and won both the 2007 U.S. Open Cup and 2008 SuperLiga championship.
"Paul has been a tremendous asset to the Revolution and was respected by every member of our organization during his time with us," Revolution Vice President of Player Personnel Michael Burns said. "While we're disappointed to see him leave us, we wanted to allow Paul to pursue this opportunity. We wish him the best of luck in all of his future endeavors."
"I wish to thank everyone that I've worked with at the Revolution who have been so supportive, including the Kraft family and Steve Nicol," Mariner said. "I have had a wonderful experience with this club, but I was presented with an offer that is very special to me personally, and I could not pass it up."
Born in Bolton, Lancashire, England, Mariner was one of the top forwards in English football in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He earned 35 international caps playing for his country, and led the England attack in the 1982 FIFA World Cup.
Mariner started his professional career at Plymouth Argyle, before scoring his 97 goals at Ipswich Town from 1976-84. He then played three seasons with Arsenal FC and finished his English Leagues career with Portsmouth.
Among Mariner's many honors as a player are winning the 1978 FA Cup and 1981 UEFA Cup with Ipswich Town. He scored for England against France in the 1982 World Cup, after netting the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Hungary that put England through to the 1982 World Cup.
Mariner began his coaching career in 1988 with Albany Capitals of the APSL, followed by a stint with the league's San Francisco Bay Blackhawks. Before joining the Revolution, Mariner was an assistant coach at Harvard University.
Mariner has also worked as a color commentator on BBC North West broadcasts of the English Premier League and as an analyst on ESPN International and New Zealand television.
He has three sons, who all still live in England.
