When technical director Chris Leitch was elevated to head coach of the San Jose Earthquakes in June, replacing the fired Dominic Kinnear, the 38-year-old former MLS defender assumed the title without the “interim” label that often comes with a midseason appointment. General manager Jesse Fioranelli, who engineered the change, stated at the time that Leitch had his full support and deserved the job on a permanent basis.
“Chris Leitch is not just a bridge. He is part of the foundation of this club,” said Fioranelli back in June. “[W]e did not want someone to come from abroad and take over this team, but we wanted someone that cares, someone that knows the players, someone that knows the team, to take on this important next chapter.