The Philadelphia Union have announced an agreement with sporting director Ernst Tanner on a New multi-year contract extension.
The move comes after the club also gave head coach Jim Curtin a contract extension. Philadelphia sit in third place in the Eastern Conference standings ahead of a visit by D.C. United.
Tanner, 54, first joined the club in October of 2018, succeeding Earnie Stewart and in his first full season in charge in 2019, the Union set franchise records for points, wins, goals and assists.
Philadelphia further added to that with a semifinal finish at the MLS Is Back tournament, an undefeated home season, the Supporters Shield trophy and a first-ever berth in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League.
Club owner releases statement on deal
Upon news of the announcement, principal owner Jay Sugarman released the following statement:
"We knew when we hired Ernst we were getting a top-tier sporting director who could take our club to the next level. Thanks to his leadership and buy-in from coaches, players and the entire staff at the Philadelphia Union, we have experienced continued progress and enjoyed the best two seasons in our history.
"Our core values are player development, a pressing, team-first, never-say-die style of play, and a commitment to innovation. Ernst has helped us turn those values into a winning formula that we believe can be a platform for long-term success. Additionally, Ernst helped us show young players that this club offers a pathway to their dreams of being a professional soccer player in MLS and in Europe.
"We have signed eight Homegrown players to the first team under Ernst and were recently named the best academy in the country. With Ernst continuing at the helm of our soccer operations, we look forward to bringing Philly fans the thrilling soccer they have come to love."
Tanner had worked with clubs such as 1860 Munich and Hoffenheim in Germany as well as Red Bull Salzburg, overseeing the highly successful academy of the Austrian giants.