TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A legendary figure in the soccer community, and who made a significant impact on Tampa Bay, has passed away.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced the passing of former Head Coach Gordon Jago on Monday. He was 92 years old.
The Englishman leaves behind a “remarkable legacy,” the Rowdies said in a news release.
He assumed leadership of the Rowdies in 1978, rapidly achieving success with consecutive appearances in the NASL Soccer Bowl Championship Final and clinching an indoor soccer title within his first two years.
The winning streak continued, and to this date, no Rowdies coach has ever amassed as many wins as Jago did during his five years in the role.
He also coached original Rowdies greats like Rodney Marsh and Steve Wegerle and poured efforts into encouraging youth soccer clubs.
Prior to his arrival in Tampa Bay, Jago spent eight years as a center back for Charlton Athletic, a London-based soccer club. He also managed two teams in England and briefly held the position of head coach for the U.S. Men’s national team in 1969.
Following the conclusion of his tenure with the Rowdies, Jago had two separate tenures as coach for the Dallas Sidekicks. He settled in Dallas after retiring and became the executive director of the Dallas Cup, an international youth soccer competition.
The U-19 age bracket of the tournament was renamed the Gordon Jago Super Group in 2012 in his honor. Jago was also inducted into the National Indoor Soccer Hall of Fame the following year.
“The Rowdies extend their condolences to all of Coach Jago’s loved ones at this time,” the club said in the release.
