Former All Whites boss Anthony Hudson has been sacked as Colorado Rapids manager, just nine games into the Major League Soccer (MLS) season.
Hudson joined the MLS franchise after the All Whites' loss to Peru in the 2018 World Cup intercontinental playoff.
The Rapids have struggled this season and are the only side in the 24-team competition without a win, sitting last in the Western Conference Standings.
After 43 matches in America's MLS, Hudson's record makes grim reading, with 26 defeats and just eight wins, since he took over in November 2017.
According to Denver-based media outlets, the firing came as no surprise, after Hudson called out the team's ownership and front office on the weekend, saying his roster was not talented enough to compete.
"We come to a place where a team full of superstars and big-money players, and a massive, massive gap in class," Hudson said after his side's 1-0 defeat against Atlanta United.
"We are fighting down at the bottom with a bottom group of players and we have to find a way to pick up a result.
"Today was just another example of the real gulf in class," Hudson said on Saturday. "If this was a promotion-and-relegation league, we'd have been relegated by now."
Rapids executive vice-president and general manager Padraig Smith thanked the 38-year-old for his time at the club.
"We appreciate Anthony's commitment to the Rapids organisation during his time with the club," said Padraig Smith."
"This is a pivotal period in the development of our team and it's in the club's best interest to make a change now. We still have a lot of season left and we look forward to getting back on track."
Assistant coach and former Rapids player Conor Casey will serve as interim head coach, while the club searches for Hudson's replacement.
All Whites defenders Tommy Smith and Deklan Wynee are currently contracted to the team.
Hudson's next move is unclear at this stage, but could a return to New Zealand as coach of the Wellington Phoenix be on the cards?
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