As expected, D.C. United has not offered Coach Thomas Rongen a new contract. The Dutchman led United to the ’99 MLS title, but it didn’t make the playoffs the last two season. Rongen often clashed with his players, and there had been speculation that he’d go after the 2000 campaign. Rongen is in the last season of a three-year contract. United will continue to train under Rongen’s supervision this fall in preparation for off-season friendlies and the 2002 MLS season. The remainder of D. C. United’s coaching staff will remain in place, pending the hiring of a new head coach. “This has been a very difficult decision, as I believe that Thomas is a fine coach with an outstanding mind for the game,” said United President and General Manager Kevin Payne. “He’s also a fine person, who worked extraordinarily hard in order to deliver success to this organization. Unfortunately, at this level, results are the primary measuring stick. In that regard, we did not accomplish what we had hoped in either of the last two years. Ultimately, I felt that a change was necessary.” Rongen has an 82-90-8 career MLS coaching record with Tampa Bay, New England and D.C. United. “It was a pleasure and an honor to work for D. C. United,” said Rongen. “I’m disappointed to not have an opportunity to help the team return to a championship level on the field, but respect the decision that has been made. I feel that the club has a solid foundation in place and wish the organization the best for future success.” A formal search for Rongen’s successor will begin immediately with hopes to have a new coach in place by the end of the calendar year. While the team has several coaching candidates in mind, United has not yet spoken about the position in any specific terms with any of the individuals. Among the possible candidates, according to the Washington Post, are U.S. national team and former D.C. assistant Dave Sarachan, former Dallas coach David Dir, former Scottish internationals Steve Nicol and Richard Gough and former Tampa Bay Rowdies (APSL) player Ricky Hill. Maryland resident John Ellinger, long considered to be the favorite for the job, is expected to take a long-term position with U.S. Soccer, where he serves as U-17 head coach. Until the United States qualified for the World Cup, there had been talk that Bruce Arena might become United GM and Sarachan its head coach if they didn’t lead the U.S. to Japan/Korea 2002. United also has plans to hire a technical director. The hire would head the technical department, working closely with the coaching staff in identifying and signing talent, developing a draft strategy, and developing closer ties to foreign club teams. The position will report directly to Stephen Zack, senior vice president of D. C. United.