Nelson Rodriguez’s tenure with the Fire will certainly be remembered.
Just not for much success.
Perhaps the most notable remnant of the Andrew Hauptman era, Rodriguez resigned Monday as team president. Per a source, John Urban, currently the chief operating officer, is serving as interim president and would be considered for the full-time position if interested. A search is beginning for Rodriguez’s replacement, and a source confirmed a search firm will be used in that process.
Originally hired by the deeply unpopular Hauptman in September 2015 as general manager, Rodriguez was elevated to president in January 2018 while keeping the GM position. Then in December 2019, three months after Joe Mansueto bought out Hauptman, Rodriguez shifted exclusively to a business-side role when Georg Heitz was hired as sporting director.
Mansueto’s takeover, combined with the previous results both on and off the field, immediately threw Rodriguez’s long-term status into question when Hauptman departed. Those questions officially ended Monday.
“I began discussing my future with owner and chairman Joe Mansueto last month. At this transformational time for the organization, and after five years with the Fire, I’m ready for a change and I’m looking forward to taking on new challenges,” Rodríguez said in a news release. “I always tried to do what was best for the club and I am grateful to Joe for his enormous support and to Andrew Hauptman for the opportunity originally given to me. The club is moving in an exciting direction and I wish the team, the staff and fans the very best of luck.”
Like Heitz, the new hire will report directly to Mansueto.
Unpopular with the fans, Rodriguez leaves behind a checkered legacy. His 2018 banishment of Sector Latino led to supporter protests and another chapter in the Fire’s deteriorating relationship with fans under Hauptman. Rodriguez, who played a role in ushering the team to Soldier Field during and after the 2019 season, was also front and center on what turned out to be a failed rebrand, and helped broker the 2018 deal that put matches exclusively on the ESPN+ streaming service before the pact was renegotiated to simultaneously air 2020 matches on WGN.
On the field, the Fire also experienced limited success under Rodriguez.
Brought in to clean up the mess left behind by Frank Yallop, Rodriguez hired Veljko Paunovic to coach. The transitional 2016 team finished last in MLS before a 2017 renaissance with Bastian Schweinsteiger saw the Fire place third in the league before a first-round playoff exit. The 2018 team regressed, and the pricey 2019 group fell short of the postseason again, placing a microscope on his and Paunovic’s futures as the new ownership took charge.
“For five years, Nelson has dedicated himself and given his everything to the club,” Mansueto said. “He has helped me tremendously over the course of our first year working together and I am grateful for that. We thank him for his loyal service to the Fire and we wish him all the best moving forward.”
