Real Salt Lake Remove Interim Tag, Hires Pablo Mastroeni Full-Time

SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake has concluded its search for new management with the announcement that Pablo Mastroeni, the club’s interim, has been handed the keys and will become the sixth manager in club history.

Specific terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

“We are thrilled to have Pablo on board, long-term,” said RSL General Manager Elliot Fall. “We expect success for years to come under his leadership. Pablo’s ability to build a culture and instill belief within the Club has resulted in the most tight-knit locker room seen in years. We are excited for him to instill that throughout our entire organization.”

It's official. We're dropping that interim title.

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) December 13, 2021

Mastroeni, 45, took over as the interim manager on August 27th immediately following the shock departure of former manager Freddy Juarez who decided to pursue an assistant coach role with the Seattle Sounders.

Since August 27th, Mastroeni has guided Real Salt Lake to a 9 win, 7 loss, and zero draws. Mastroeni immediately altered the manner that Real Salt Lake set up. He transitioned from the traditional 4-2-3-1 formation to a 3-5-2 shape. The change revolutionized the manner in which Real Salt Lake attacked, however, the constant inability to defend any transition from opposing teams proved too much for Mastroeni to overcome.

“I am excited to be joining Real Salt Lake on a permanent basis,” said Pablo Mastroeni. “I love the direction this Club is moving in and I’m looking forward to working with all the resources and opportunities we have in front of us. We will implement an electric end-to-end style of play that brings our fans into the action and further solidifies the fortress that we call home. And we will continue to be a formidable foe on the road, just as we were during the end of our 2021 season.”

On the final day of the regular season, Mastroeni showcased his true colors when he transitioned back to the 4-2-3-1 formation and found a victory on the road against Sporting Kansas City to secure their place in the postseason.

Mastroeni is a believer in belief and having the correct mentality. Ever since he has taken control of Real Salt Lake he has preached on the mental fight and quality that it takes to win consistently at the MLS level.

His persistence paid dividends throughout the MLS playoffs following the most unimaginable of runs by Real Salt Lake that concluded with a Western Conference Final loss to Portland.