Nicol Named Revs Head Coach

FOXBOROUGH, MA, November 6 - The New England Revolution appointed Steve Nicol as Head Coach Wednesday, removing the "interim" tag from his title. The team also named former Revs assistant coach Renato Capobianco as Director of Soccer. Nicol's contract ties him to the 2002 MLS Eastern Conference Champions for the next two years. Other details of the contract were not disclosed.

"We are very pleased to have Steve back as head coach," Managing Director of Kraft Soccer Sunil Gulati said. "He has certainly proven his ability, having taken the team to MLS Cup for the first time and being named Coach of the Year.

"We are also pleased to welcome Renato back to the Revolution in his new role as Director of Soccer," Gulati said. "His vast experience made him an ideal choice to oversee the soccer operations and assist the coaching staff in identifying and signing talent, as well as developing closer ties with international clubs."

After serving as an assistant coach for the Revs in 2000, Capobianco returns to New England in his new role of Director of Soccer. Capobianco has had previous experience with the team having served as assistant coach for the Revs in 1997-1998.

Capobianco, 39, a veteran of the United States National Team administrative staff, has vast MLS experience as an assistant coach and team official. He served as Director of Soccer for the San Jose Earthquakes in 1999, overseeing all on-field operations for the team. In 1996, he helped lead the Tampa Bay Mutiny to a league-best 20-12 record in MLS's inaugural season, before joining the Revolution for the 1997 season. He previously served as an assistant coach of the United States Under-17 National Team.

Capobianco's experience also includes a three-year stint as team administrator for the U.S. National Team, including more than 80 international matches, as well as the 1994 World Cup. Following his national-team duty, he went on to serve as Deputy Competition Manager of the Orange Bowl soccer venue for the 1996 Olympic games. Fluent in Spanish, Capobianco earned a Master's degree in Coaching & Teaching Effectiveness (Exercise Physiology Emphasis) at San Diego Sate University. He holds a USSF "A" coaching license and is a nationally certified strength and conditioning specialist. Most recently he served as a strength and conditioning coach at Harvard University.

Nicol led the Revs franchise to its first-ever playoff series win in three matches over the Chicago Fire in the 2002 playoffs. After his squad defeated the Columbus Crew in the semifinals, Nicol's Revs appeared in their first ever MLS Cup final in front of 61,316 fans at Gillette Stadium on October 20, 2002.

Nicol became the first two-time interim head coach of the New England Revolution when he was named to the post in an interim capacity on May 23, 2002, replacing Fernando Clavijo, who had brought him in as an assistant coach on January 10, 2002. Nicol previously served as interim head coach of the Revolution for the final two games of the 1999 season, winning both matches under his guidance. He served as a player/coach for the Boston Bulldogs from 1999-2001.

In 21 games leading the Eastern Conference champions in 2002, Nicol notched a 10-10-1 record, including a pivotal 5-0-1 stretch to close out the regular season. He was able to find the right mix of players down the stretch, adding mid-season acquisitions Daouda Kante and Winston Griffiths into the lineup and watching first-year striker Taylor Twellman emerge as the league's leading scorer.

Nicol, 40, made 467 appearances for Liverpool between 1981 and 1995, during which time Liverpool was one of the world's top club teams. Nicol anchored the Liverpool defense that won four English League Titles, three English Cup Titles, and reached two European Championship Finals. In 1984, Liverpool and Nicol defeated Roma to capture the 1984 European Cup.

He made 27 appearances for the Scottish National Team, and started for Scotland in the 1986 World Cup. He made his last appearance for Scotland in 1992 and also played with Sheffield Wednesday and Doncaster Rovers in England. He served as player/coach of First Division club Notts County in England in 1995. He was named the head coach of the Bulldogs on July 13th, 1999, after serving as the assistant coach to start the season.

Season tickets for the Revolution 2003 season are available now. Individuals that purchase Revolution Season Tickets between now and November 15th will get a FREE certificate to a New England Revolution soccer clinic, to be run by a Revolution player and coach. Season ticket prices are $240 (Category III), $340 (Category II) and $440 (Category I). The season ticket package is composed of 20 games, including Revolution regular season matches and special events (could include U.S. National Team friendly matches, International games, U.S. Open Cup and/or Revolution playoff games), as well as many other benefits available through the "Center Circle" credential that will be provided to all season ticket holders. To order season tickets or for more information, call the Revolution toll-free at 1-877-GET-REVS.