Denis Hamlett out as Chicago Fire coach

Staff report

Denis Hamlett was relieved of his duties today as coach of the Fire after the team fell one game short of earning an MLS Cup berth.

The club announced that Hamlett's contract, which expires at the end of this year, will not be renewed. Fire technical director Frank Klopas will handle all team decisions until a new coach is named.

Hamlett  had been a member of the Fire coaching staff since the team's inaugural 1998 season before being named head coach in January of 2008, succeeding Juan Carlos Osorio.

The Fire finished 11-7-12 during the 2009 regular season and lost to Real Salt Lake on penalty kicks in the MLS Eastern Conference final.

Hamlett's two-year record with the Fire was 24-17-19 with two trips to the Eastern finals.

For more on Hamlett's dismissal, read Sam Stejskal's report: ChicagoNow.com