Major League Soccer

Gansler is let go after long tenure with Kansas City.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Wednesday, July 19, 2006) - Bob Gansler, the longest serving coach in Major League Soccer, was removed from his post with the Kansas City Wizards.

Gansler was replaced by Brian Bliss, his top assistant for almost seven years, on an interim basis.

Gansler has served as coach since April 28, 1999. He turned around a struggling franchise and took it to the MLS Cup 2000 championship, as well as capturing that year's Supporter's Shield, signifying the team with the best record in the league. He was named 2000 MLS "Coach of the Year."

In 2004, Gansler led the Wizards to the title of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, named for the team's founder and owner-operator.

"Bob Gansler is, simply put, an extraordinary leader of men," Wizards general manager Curt Johnson said on the team's web site. He is a lifelong student of the game of soccer and in my opinion has been its star pupil in this country. He has used his many talents to coach soccer and we in Kansas City are forever grateful. He is a primary reason for the Wizards biggest moments of success and our organization will always be thankful for his exemplary leadership, passion, and for seven wonderful years."

Gansler produced an all-time regular-season record of 86-85-51 (.502) and a playoff mark of 9-8-3 (.530) in his seven seasons in K.C. Prior to that, he coached the United States men from 1989-91, including to the 1990 World Cup, the Americans' first appearance in the quadrennial tournament since 1950.

Gansler has also served coached in the A-League and NCAA Division I.

"The Hunt family is grateful to have had Bob and Nancy Gansler as a part of the Wizards organization and we wish them good fortune along life's path," Hunt said on the web site. "During Bob Gansler's period of leadership, he accomplished two significant championships for Kansas City, the 2000 MLS Cup and the 2004 U.S. Open Cup. These events are the most recent championships won by any Kansas City sports team and will always be a part of the Bob Gansler heritage in Kansas City."

Bliss, who played for Gansler in the 1990 World Cup, finished his playing career with Kansas City in 1998.

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