Gordon Jago, legendary head coach of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, dies at 92
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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A legendary figure in the soccer community, and who made a significant impact on Tampa Bay, has passed away.

The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced the passing of former Head Coach Gordon Jago on Monday. He was 92 years old.

The Englishman leaves behind a “remarkable legacy,” the Rowdies said in a news release.

He took charge of the Rowdies in 1978 and quickly found success, with back-to-back appearances in the NASL Soccer Bowl Championship Final and an indoor soccer title in just his first two years.

Gordon Jago, executive tournament director of the Dallas Cup, gives out a welcome gift to each member of the Iraqi under 14 National Team, after their arrival in Addison, Texas, Friday, April 7, 2006. The team competed in the Dallas Cup soccer tournament April 9-16. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)

The winning streak continued, and to this date, no Rowdies coach has ever amassed as many wins as Jago did during his five years in the role.

He also coached original Rowdies greats like Rodney Marsh and Steve Wegerle and poured efforts into encouraging youth soccer clubs.

Before coming to Tampa Bay, Jago spent eight years playing as a center back for Charlton Athletic, a soccer club in London. He also managed two teams in England and briefly served as the head coach of the U.S. Men’s national team in 1969.

After his time with the Rowdies came to an end, Jago had two separate stints as coach for the Dallas Sidekicks. He remained in Dallas after his retirement and became the executive director of the Dallas Cup, an international youth soccer tournament.

The U-19 age bracket of the tournament was renamed the Gordon Jago Super Group in 2012 in his honor. Jago was also inducted into the National Indoor Soccer Hall of Fame the following year.

“The Rowdies extend their condolences to all of Coach Jago’s loved ones at this time,” the club said in the release.

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