Fall out as RSL general manager; Schmid promoted to sporting director

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SALT LAKE CITY — Real Salt Lake announced several changes to its front office and coaching staff personnel Friday, highlighted by the promotion of Kurt Schmid to sporting director and the departure of general manager Elliot Fall.

The club also announced that assistant coaches Matt Taylor, Brett Jacobs and Ignacio "Nacho" Hernandez will not be returning for the 2024 season, as head coach Pablo Mastroeni looks to overhaul his support staff before the MLS SuperDraft on Dec. 19 and the commencement of RSL's 2024 preseason on Jan. 13.

Schmid — the son of long-time MLS head coach Sigi Schmid — will also serve as RSL's interim chief soccer officer, working closely with assistant general manager Tony Beltran and Mastroeni as a "trio guiding both short- and long-term futures across the club pyramid," according to the club release.

The release states that the David Blitzer and Ryan Smith ownership group will conduct a global general manager search, effective immediately, while RSL and former general manager Elliot Fall "remain in discussions regarding his future with the club."

From intern to GM, it's been an incredible 17 years. For all your contributions to our club, thank you, Elliot.

We are grateful for everything you have given to RSL, soccer & the state of Utah. pic.twitter.com/diOO9CF0sL
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) December 1, 2023

"I wish to express the utmost gratitude and appreciation for everything that Elliot accomplished during his 17 years with Real Salt Lake," club president John Kimball said in the release. "His stewardship of the team during his five years as general manager, steadily guiding us to the postseason despite change and volatility all around us, will never be forgotten."

The Athletic's Tom Bogert reported Thursday that RSL is also in "advanced talks" with former head coach and player Jason Kreis about returning to the club in a non-coaching role. Kreis led RSL to its lone MLS Cup in 2009 as manager before leaving the club in 2013 with stints in New York, Orlando and Miami.