Revolution place head coach on administrative leave: what did Bruce Arena say?

New England Revolution head coach and sporting director Bruce Arena has been placed on administrative leave pending an ongoing MLS investigation into his conduct.

On Tuesday the team announced that Arena had been the subject of “allegations of insensitive and inappropriate remarks”.

The 71-year-old two-time USMNT head coach was not with the Revolution squad on Sunday or Monday, sources around the team have claimed. Players were told that Arena would not be present for practice and that assistant coach Richie Williams and technical director Curt Onalfo would take charge.

A statement from the team reads:

“The organization takes any allegations of workplace misconduct extremely seriously and is working closely with the league and fully cooperating with its investigation.”

Arena has not yet issued any comment on the either allegations or his position with the Revolution.

Bruce Arena comments subject to investigation

While Arena is on administrative leave pending an MLS investigation it is unlikely that the Revolution head coach will make a public statement on the matter. But although specific details of the allegations have not yet been made public, statements issued by both the Revolution and the league do make reference to the nature of the complaints.

The New England Revolution statement mentions “allegations of workplace misconduct”, while the MLS communication references “insensitive and inappropriate remarks”.

Arena is the most successful head coach in league history, with five MLS Cup triumphs. He has coached the national team on two separate occasions and his New England Revolution side currently sit in second in the Eastern Conference.

The Revolution’s next fixture is a Leagues Cup tie against Atlas on Thursday, 3 August. At this point it seems very unlikely that Arena will be there to lead the team.