Timbers sign head coach Savarese to contract extension

PORTLAND — The Portland Timbers signed head coach Giovanni Savarese to a multiyear contract extension, the team announced on Wednesday.

Heading into his sixth season at the helm for Portland, Savarese’s contract extension will see him through 2025 with a club option year in 2026.

“This is something that has been in the works since the MLS Cup last season, and for me, what felt right was to stay in Portland,” Savarese said in a statement.

Since joining the club in 2018, Savarese has led Portland to two MLS Cup appearances (2018, 2021), winning two Western Conference Championships in five seasons. He became the only manager in the club’s MLS-era to guide the Timbers to the MLS Cup Playoffs in four out of his five seasons as the head coach.

With the contract extension, Savarese is on path to become the longest-tenured head coach in club history with six seasons at the helm.

In his five seasons, Savarese has led the Timbers to 68 victories, which is tied for the most victories of any head coach in club history dating back to 2011.

Savarese’s 68 wins since the start of the 2018 season are also tied for the third most amongst MLS coaches in that span.

The Timbers were 11-10-13 in 2022, tallying 46 points, but missed the playoffs on the last day of the season.