TURNING IT OVER
Unlike Phil, Anthony swiftly shakes up his soccer club
A disgruntled Carmelo Anthony continues to teach Knicks president Phil Jackson how to run a franchise, jettisoning Puerto Rico FC’s technical director and head coach following a horrid start to the season.
The firings of head coach Adrian Whitbread and Neil Sillett, the club’s technical director, came just four days after Puerto Rico FC lost 4-3 to the Cosmos, in a game the team’s owner Anthony, did not attend, to remain in the North American Soccer League basement.
“We want to thank Neil and Adrian for the role they played in building the inaugural Puerto Rico FC team,” PRFC president Tom Payne said in a release. “We truly appreciate their hard work and the passion they brought to their jobs every day. Unfortunately the results have not improved this season and it is time to make a change for the benefit of all parties.”
The wording seems awfully familiar to a certain Knicks president when speaking of his own embattled star. Except Anthony, unlike Jackson, acted decisively.
In just its second season of existence, PRFC has earned just three points in seven games during the spring slate.
The start followed a dreadful inaugural season during which the team earned 24 points and was outscored 31-19 by opponents.
“He’s been very patient so far, let’s be honest,” Whitbread told The Post on Sunday. “He’s hands-on by talking regularly to the president. I don’t deal with him too much. I deal with him through the president, and he’s remained very positive.”
So much for being patient.
After meeting with Payne on Monday and Tuesday, Anthony made the decision to shake up the coaching staff. However, it was a move both he, and the team’s front office, agreed with.
“The decision was made after much consideration and was not taken lightly,” Payne said. “The PRFC front office in New York are in full support of this decision.”