SANDY, Utah — Despite failing to make the playoffs this season, to RSL club ownership, it's what have you done for me lately.
And lately, the Claret and Cobalt have been one of the best teams in Major League Soccer. Since July 4th, they have gone 8-3-4, giving RSL owner Dell Loy Hansen more than enough incentive to sign Petke to a 3-year extension Thursday.
Just a few games into the season, Hansen let go of former RSL head coach Jeff Cassar and gave the reigns to Petke, who had just begun a new job as head coach of the Real Monarchs. It took Petke a few months to find his footing and lead Real Salt Lake to some consistency on the field. He thanked Hansen for the opportunity to move his family from New Jersey to Utah, and to be here for some time to come.
“Loyalty is huge for me. I am ecstatic about Mr. Hansen coming to me and offering me this contract,” Petke said. “I’m ecstatic at the prospect of being here at least three more years. And I’m excited and ecstatic about what I think we can accomplish together – [Real Salt Lake Owner Dell Loy Hansen], (General Manager) Craig Waibel, myself, the players … the whole organization. I’m on cloud nine because I have an owner who values me, likes what I’m doing and wants to reward me for that," Petke said in a news release.
The terms of Petke's long-term extension were not disclosed.
