Jimmy Nielsen resigns as coach of OKC Energy
Photo credit: Matt Boulton/Flickr
Multiple sources inform Soc Takes that Energy FC head coach Jimmy Nielsen has left the Oklahoma City club, taking his staff – Mark Howard, Chris Spendlove and James Ritchie – with him.
The Energy enjoyed a strong second half of the USL season, propagating them to the semifinal of the Western conference.
One source informed Soc Takes that Nielsen quit because “their (Energy FC) player budget was reduced and their raises weren’t big enough.” Soc Takes has not been able to independently verify this claim.
Multiple sources inform Soc Takes that Nielsen does not currently have an UEFA A license; an USSF requirement. Therefore, in keeping Nielsen, Energy showed loyalty to the ex-goalkeeper as the team had to apply for an USSF waiver. With the departure of the Danish manager, Energy FC are expected to be USSF compliant on all counts except field dimensions.
The future for Nielsen and his crew remains uncertain. While the group were interested in the recently vacated St. Louis FC job, Soc Takes understands that Nielsen is not the front-runner for that position.
Update (11/16/17, 735PM): Nielsen spoke to Soc Takes contributor James Poling about parting ways with the team –
Nielsen: "I respect the ownership tremendously. We couldn’t come to a new agreement, but I don’t envision that changing the relationship that we have moving forward."
— James Poling (@James_Poling) November 17, 2017
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