Legates Named Interim Mutiny HC

The Mutiny announced on Tuesday that head coach Tony Horta has taken a leave of absence and will be replaced by assistant coach Chris Legates.

According to a statement issued by the team, Horta has decided to leave for “personal reasons.” He guided the club from 2007-09 (25-11-3 overall) before returning for the 2012 season.

Legates, who joined the Mutiny staff prior to the season after a three-year hiatus, originally joined the club during its inaugural WPSL season in 2003.

“I have all the confidence in the world in Chris taking over the ship in the interim,” said New England Mutiny owner Joe Ferrara said in a statement. “With Tony on leave, Chris deserved this opportunity for his commitment and loyalty to the Mutiny organization.”

Legates is slated to begin his new post in Saturday’s home match against the Philadelphia Fever. The Mutiny currently sit in fourth place, with a 1-1-1 (4 points) record.

“This is an amazing opportunity to work with some of the best players in the country,” LeGates said in a statement. “To have been with the Mutiny since our first game in 2002 and to now see us competing in the highest level of play in the United States is something that I think is very important and a testament to Joe Ferrara’s vision.”