Gavin Wilkinson has been fired by Sporting Kansas City just eight days after being named the club’s sporting director, the team announced Friday.
Wilkinson, previously the general manager of the Portland Timbers and Thorns, was fired in 2021 for alleged misconduct with the latter club, and an independent investigation found he encouraged NWSL clubs to hire abusive coach Paul Riley.
And Wilkinson lasted barely more than a week in his new role as Sporting Kansas City cited the ‘impassioned response’ of its supporters in its decision to reverse course.
In a statement from owner Michael Illig, the club said, ‘In making this difficult decision, we want to first acknowledge the passion of our fans, our community of supporters, our partners and our stakeholders. Together, they comprise our deeply valued Sporting family. Our action today demonstrates our longstanding, unequivocal respect for their voices, and the belief that we are all stronger when we listen to one another.
‘We ran a diligent and exhaustive process to identify our new Sporting Director. It was grounded in the deeply-held principles and standards we have adhered to since the day we acquired the team.
‘That said, the impassioned response from our fans reinforced to us a fundamental philosophy that has driven us since Day One: To honor and protect our valued relationships. It is in that spirit that we take this action today, reflective of our abiding appreciation for our unrivaled SKC fans and our Kansas City community.’
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