Atlético Ottawa, head coach Carlos González part ways

Carlos González coaching Atlético Ottawa in 2023. On Thursday, the team announced his departure. (Matt Zambonin/Freestyle Photography/Atletico Ottaw - image credit)
Carlos González coaching Atlético Ottawa in 2023. On Thursday, the team announced his departure. (Matt Zambonin/Freestyle Photography/Atletico Ottaw - image credit)

Atlético Ottawa and head coach Carlos González have "mutually agreed to part ways" after three seasons, the soccer team announced Thursday.

González's time with the Canadian Premier League (CPL) club, which is owned by Spanish giants Atlético Madrid, included a banner year in 2022 when the team won the regular season title and he won CPL coach of the year.

The team fell just short of the playoffs in 2023. This past season it finished third in the regular season, beat York in its playoff opener but was knocked out by Hamilton's Forge FC.

The 38-year-old from Granada in southern Spain accumulated 34 wins, 27 draws and 28 losses in league play.

González said in a news release from the team it's time for new challenges.

"I have felt at home from the first day I set foot in this great country … taking on a complex but at the same time exciting challenge, that of positioning a practically newborn project in a place where it can fight alongside the strongest," he said.

"The process and the day-to-day were as challenging as they were rewarding. I can say that we've enjoyed the journey so much. I leave feeling happy and satisfied with the work."

Atletico Ottawa celebrates its regular-season title after placing last overall a year ago. It begins its semifinal series against Pacific FC on Saturday.
Atletico Ottawa celebrates its regular-season title after placing last overall a year ago. It begins its semifinal series against Pacific FC on Saturday.

Atlético Ottawa celebrates its 2022 regular-season title, which came during González's first season as head coach. (@atletiOttawa/Twitter)

The team said it's working with Madrid to find the next coach.

Atlético is also saying goodbye to its franchise goal leader Ollie Bassett after three seasons. Earlier last season, CEO and general manager Fernando López left for a job with Real Zaragoza in Spain's second-highest league.