June 25, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Hartford Athletic News Release
HARTFORD, Conn. – Harry Watling has resigned as Head Coach of Hartford Athletic effective immediately to attend to family matters in England. Technical Director Ray Reid will serve as Interim Head Coach and will lead the search for a new head coach immediately.
“I would like to thank Bruce Mandell and the entire ownership group for giving me the opportunity to be the head coach of Hartford Athletic. I’d also like to thank my players for giving me everything they had day in and day out over these two seasons,” Watling said. “Thank you to the fans for making Hartford feel like home from the very beginning and creating one of the best environments I’ve ever seen in my time in football. It is a very difficult decision for me to leave the club, but I need to return to England to be with my family. Hartford will always hold a special place in my heart and I wish the entire organization the best of luck the rest of the season and beyond.”
Over one and a half seasons, Watling led the club to 15 wins, 23 losses, and 8 ties. In 2021, the club set records in goals (50), points (41), clean sheets (9), and had the largest win in club history, a 7-0 victory over New York Red Bulls II, en route to a fifth place finish in the Atlantic division.
“Coach Watling is a smart, young coach with a bright future ahead of him. We are very disappointed he is leaving the club but understand he needs to do what’s best for him and his family,” said Hartford Athletic Technical Director Ray Reid. “The search for a new head coach is underway. We will leave no stone unturned as we seek the best candidate to lead our club back to the playoffs.”
Assistant Coach Jake Davis has also resigned from his position. We thank him for his service to the club and wish him all the best going forward.
Hartford Athletic returns to the field on Tuesday night when they host first place Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Trinity Health Stadium at 7 PM.
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