St. Louis CITY SC fire Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel after five years

St. Louis CITY SC announced that they have parted ways with Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel. The German executive, who was hired in 2020 as the franchise's first sporting director, departs just after the closing of the MLS Summer Transfer Window. President and GM Diego Gigliani and Technical Director John Hackworth will immediately assume responsibility for roster management and player contract negotiations while the club begins its search for a permanent replacement.

“These decisions are never easy, and with the legacy Lutz built during his time here, he will always be part of the extended CITY family,” said CITY SC President and GM Diego Gigliani on the team's official website. “From the very beginning, Lutz has shown real passion and commitment for this project and the foundation he established was integral to the club’s historic first season.”

He added, “As we enter the next phase of the club’s long-term plan to lift up the region and help both the team and St. Louis achieve its potential, the next five years will be extremely important, and believe a change in sporting leadership will help in the club’s pursuit of its goals. Unfortunately, we’ve struggled to create sporting stability and haven’t been able to meet the expectations of our owners or our fans, despite increasing our investment in the squad consistently.”

Pfannenstiel's tenure had highs and lows during his time with St. Louis CITY SC. He built the sporting operation from the ground up, starting in 2020. His influence extended across all levels of the club, from the academy structure to MLS NEXT Pro to the design of the training center and assembly of the first team roster.

However, after an inspired start by the club, which saw it top the Western Conference standings heading into the 2023 playoffs, things started to unravel after the inaugural campaign. The club has missed the postseason over the last two seasons and has struggled in scoring the past two years, scoring just 31 this campaign. 

St. Louis CITY SC will immediately begin the search for their second-ever sporting director while Gigliani and Hackworth manage the club's roster decisions.