Claudio Reyna transitions into new role at Austin FC following USMNT scandal | OneFootball

Claudio Reyna has resigned as Austin FC’s sporting director, transitioning to a technical advisor role before the club’s third MLS season.

Head coach Josh Wolff will now serve as the team’s chief soccer officer on an interim basis, while director of player personnel Sean Rubio steps up as interim sporting director. Together, Wolff and Rubio will lead the Verde & Black’s talent identification, acquisition and management strategy, as well as full technical and high-performance duties. They will now report directly to Austin FC majority owner and CEO Anthony Precourt.

“I am grateful that Anthony and the organization have given me the opportunity to scale back my role and responsibilities while continuing to contribute to the success of a club that I love,” Reyna said in a statement.

“I take great pride in what we have accomplished but am looking forward to a less all-consuming work pace that still permits me to assist ongoing club development.”

Austin first named Reyna their sporting director in November 2019, ahead of the inaugural 2021 MLS campaign. He joined from New York City FC, and formed an integral part of Austin FC’s success in building a complete roster.

“We’re grateful for Claudio’s contributions to both our club and our community,” Precourt said in a statement. “Claudio has been committed to the cause of building a club that inspires Austin, and he will remain in a position to contribute to our organization.”

Precourt added: “I’m confident in the leadership team that we have in place at our club. Josh is a tremendous leader and is without question one of the best coaches in North America. Working alongside Sean, whose talent and experience has been absolutely critical in our roster construction over the past two seasons, I have full faith that we have the people in place to continue to compete for trophies and make Austin proud.”

But Reyna’s transition into a different role was expected, after he took part in the US Soccer conflict that included USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter and his wife Danielle Reyna. The scandal became public when Berhalter admitted to an incident of domestic violence, coming forward to head off attempts from an outside party to 'take me down'.

Danielle Reyna revealed herself as the ‘outside party,’ explaining she used the information after Berhalter made her son and USMNT figure Giovanni Reyna’s World Cup problems public during a conference.

“I am grateful that Anthony [Precourt, the club’s majority owner] and the organization have given me the opportunity to scale back my role and responsibilities while continuing to contribute to the success of a club that I love,” said Reyna in the release.

“I take great pride in what we have accomplished but am looking forward to a less all-consuming work pace that still permits me to assist ongoing club development.”

Claudio Reyna, along with Danielle Reyna and Gregg Berhalter, are currently taking part in U.S. Soccer’s ongoing investigation into the incident.