The New England Revolution announced Monday evening that Mike Burns has been dismissed as general manager, effective immediately.
The move comes on the heels of the team's firing of second-year head coach Brad Friedel last week and brings an end to Burns' 14-year tenure in the Revs front office, with the last seven coming as GM.
“As an original Revolution player and throughout his time with the club’s front office, Michael has always been a terrific ambassador for the club,” said Revolution president Brian Bilello in a team statement. “His impact on the team and organization has been felt in many ways and we are grateful for his commitment and service to the New England Revolution.”
Shortly after assuming the general manager role in November 2011, Burns helped guide the Revs from a five-win season that year to three straight MLS Cup Playoffs berths from 2013-15, including a trip to MLS Cup in 2014. The Revs also reached the U.S. Open Cup final in 2016. However, the Revs' fortunes have taken a downturn in recent years, missing the playoffs in three straight seasons and starting the 2019 season with a 3-8-2 record that left them at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Prior to his time as GM, Burns served as both director of soccer and vice president of player personnel after joining the team's front office in 2005. He also had a distinguished playing career that included seven seasons in MLS (1996-2002) and 75 caps with the US men's national team.
With regard to next steps for the club, Bilello said, “In light of recent results and the team’s on-field direction over the last few seasons, we felt it was time to take the soccer side of the organization in a different direction. We expect to make an announcement related to leadership of the soccer organization in the coming days.”
