Sporting Kansas City announced Tuesday that assistant coach Octavio Zambrano will not return to the team for the 2012 season. Zambrano has accepted a head coaching position with Colombian second division side Deportivo Pereira.
Zambrano, 53, was a member of Sporting Kansas City's technical staff for both the 2010 and the 2011 seasons after joining the staff from Hungarian club FC Tatabánya in December of 2009. One of the winningest head coaches in MLS history following stints with the LA Galaxy and the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, Zambrano served two seasons under Peter Vermes before accepting his new position with Deportivo Pereira.
In addition to serving his role as an experienced assistant, Zambrano was also heavily involved in the creation and operation of the Midwest United Sport Association (MUSA), an organization that joins together six prominent Hispanic soccer leagues in the Kansas City area under one umbrella to promote healthy living and positive values.
Sporting Kansas City wishes Zambrano well in his future endeavors, and thanks him for his service to the club.
