Rowdies dismiss head coach Robbie Neilson

After just over a year as the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ head coach, Robbie Neilson has been dismissed by the soccer club.

Citing his season record of 17-17-8 across all competitions – the United Soccer League team finished sixth in the Eastern Conference – the Rowdies announced Friday morning that Neilson had been “relieved of his duties.”

Starting with Saturday’s home opener at Al Lang Stadium, assistant coach Steve Coleman will serve as the club’s interim head coach.

Saturday’s game pits the Rowdies against Loudoun United FC, from Virginia.

From Glasgow, Scotland, Neilson won over 350 matches as a coach in England and his home country. He was hired to replace fellow Scot Neill Collins, who departed as head coach in 2023 to return to the U.K.

Named the USL’s 2021 Coach of the Year, Collins had 98 wins in 175 matches with the Rowdies.

In a February 2024 Catalyst interview, Neilson praised the Rowdies organization and said its training facilities were superior to those in the United Kingdom.

“We always say 25% is coaching, and the rest of it is all of the stuff in the background,” he enthused. “So, to really come in here and help develop players … is something that really excited me.”

In the Friday announcement, Rowdies Vice Chair Brian Auld said of today’s promotion: “Appointing Steve Coleman as interim head coach reflects our confidence in the group we have. In his short time at the club, Steve has already taken it upon himself to understand our Rowdies culture and is fully committed to supporting our players on and off the field.”