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On Thursday morning, Orlando City UK woke up to the huge news that Orlando City SC have agreed to part ways with coach Adrian Heath.

Losing 4-0 to FC Dallas on Monday, this was only the Lions’ fourth loss of 2016 but drawing too many games (8) has forced the boards’ hand into what we’re sure was an incredibly difficult decision.

Starting out with Orlando City SC from day one in our Austin Aztex form alongside Phil Rawlins, the affectionately known ‘Inchy’ was ultimately the manager who oversaw the club’s transition into the Major League Soccer franchise we know today.

Ultimately, his legacy will be the club’s unprecedented success within USL whereby Orlando City SC won two USL Championships and three USL regular season titles.

Never an ideal time to lose any manager within the mid-season, Orlando City SC’s Front Office now face an incredibly large task to replace the man who captured the imagination in Central Florida.

Representing the Lions with sheer dedication, devotion and unmissable passion on the touchline and beyond, the next manager certainly has a lot to live up to.

For the meantime, Orlando City SC Assistant Coach Bobby Murphy will lead the first team alongside Orlando City B manager Anthony Pulis to cover not only the loss of Adrian Heath but also Mark Watson who is also departing Camping World Stadium.

Speaking not only about a colleague but also a friend, chairman Phil Rawlins claimed: “It is always a very difficult decision to part ways with a head coach and not one that the Board of Directors has taken lightly.

“It is even more difficult when that coach has been instrumental in the growth of the club since its inception over eight years ago. Adrian has served this Club with passion and enthusiasm.

“While our successes together are undoubtable, we believe the renewed energy this change will bring will be uplifting for the team.

“We feel that the time has come for us to move on with our future in MLS. We continue to remain very excited about the growth of our club.”

Orlando City UK would love to take this moment to wholeheartedly thank Adrian Heath for his simply massive contribution to the club over the past eight years.

Orlando City SC certainly won’t be the same without you but we wish the very best of luck to whoever is deemed fit enough to take the club forward from this moment.

Vamos Orlando

Taylor