After less than a month on the job, Guillermo Barros Schelotto has left Palermo.
The former Columbus Crew SC star was hired as Palermo’s manager on January 11, but left the Italian club on Wednesday after he was judged to have insufficient coaching experience to meet UEFA licensing regulations.
The 2008 MLS MVP, Schelotto hadn’t actually coached Palermo during a match due to his lack of a license, and was forced to watch from the stands as a series of other staff members took control of the team before eventually leaving on Wednesday.
"It is with deep regret that Palermo must take note of the decision of Guillermo Barros Schelotto and his staff to leave the technical guidance of the team, having not got the UEFA-recognized license to coach," read a statement from Palermo.
Schelotto retired from his playing career in 2011. He spent four seasons in Columbus, recording 33 goals and 41 assists in 102 regular season appearances and leading the club to the MLS Cup title in 2008 and to back-to-back Supporters’ Shields in 2008 and 2009.
He began his managerial career in his native Argentina in 2012, when he took the reins of first division side Lanús, where he oversaw a Copa Sudamericana title in 2013.
Schelotto was reportedly in the mix for several MLS coaching positions in recent years, with Crew SC showing interest before hiring Gregg Berhalter following the 2013 season and the Chicago Fire apparently considering the former Argentine international before hiring Veljko Paunovic in November. He was also linked to the FC Dallas head coaching job in years past.
