USMNT and MLS legend Landon Donovan is no longer in consideration to be the new manager for Real Salt Lake. According to ESPN, Donovan decided not to pursue the job further as he believes the team is not “the right fit” for him.
RSL has been searching for a new manager ever since Freddy Juarez left the team in early September to become an assistant with the Seattle Sounders. Besides Donovan, the team has reportedly talked with several other candidates, including ex-FC Dallas manager Luchi Gonzalez and Philadelphia Union assistant coach Pat Noonan.
Interim manager Pablo Mastroeni is also believed to have received a look, especially after the team played well with him in charge. RSL won five games under Mastroeni and currently finds itself 5th in Western Conference.
Donovan currently manages USL Championship side San Diego Loyal and serves as the club’s vice president of soccer operations. Donovan, who is also Loyal’s co-owner, has a 20-10-14 managerial record since taking over in 2020.
While he isn’t interested in RSL, Donovan reportedly wants to take the next step in his managerial career and work for the MLS. He has been pursuing managerial jobs in the league before and might be a candidate for other franchises with vacancies like the Chicago Fire, FC Cincinnati, and FC Dallas.
