John Doyle fired as Quakes G.M.

Technical director Chris Leitch gets job on an interim basis “I don’t think we are getting the most out of our players . ... Hopefully, this type of shake-up will get us better results.”

SAN JOSE — John Doyle was fired Monday as general manager of the Earthquakes.

The team announced that it has parted ways with Doyle effective immediately. Technical director Chris Leitch was named interim general manager.

“I would like to express my sincere thanks to John for his nine years of service with the team as general manager,” Earthquakes president Dave Kaval said. “He was an outstanding leader who helped relaunch the Earthquakes. We will be forever grateful for his contributions to the San Jose Earthquakes. We wish John the best of luck in his future endeavors.”

Doyle was named G.M. on Oct. 3, 2007. He helped rebuild the team after its return from a two-year hiatus from 2006-08 and was a part of some successful runs in San Jose, including the 2012 season, when the team earned the Supporters’ Shield for the league’s best record.

The move comes after the Quakes were shut out in two consecutive matches. San Jose’s offense has been a disappointment, ranking last in the league in goals despite efforts to bring in more firepower. The team is three points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

“At this time, we feel that the organization needs a fresh approach to our soccer operations,” Kaval said. “We believe that we have the players and coaching staff that can make a run at the playoffs, and we are fully behind their efforts.

“We have a lot of confidence in the coaching staff. Dominic Kinnear has an exceptional track record.”

Despite the presence of All-Stars Chris Wondolowski and David Bingham, as well as highly touted midseason acquisitions Darwin Ceren and Henok Goitom, Kaval said the team has been underachieving.

“I don’t think we are getting the most out of our players,” he said. “We have to put together the type of braintrust that will help achieve that. Hopefully, this type of shake-up will get us better results.”

Kaval said the rest of the season will serve as “an audition” for Leitch. The team would like to make a decision on a permanent general manager by the end of the year.

Hovering around the “red line,” a line in the standings that separates the final playoff spot from the first team to miss out, is a position Kaval said the organization grew tired of the past few seasons.

“We don’t want to be a team that just trolls along the red line. That’s not suitable for this club,” Kaval said. “This move shows accountability. We expect more.”