Cotterill in at Minnesota

Since losing 2-0 to the Clarets, the Thunder have played four games of which they have won one, drawn one and lost two. The first of those two defeats against Rochester Rhinos on Sunday 20^th July proved to be the last game in charge for Magee.

President Manny Lagos said: "Amos and I sat down on the Monday both very concerned with the direction and form of the team. We both decided that a change in leadership might help rejuvenate this group of players. Despite going winless for two months, we're still very much in contention for a playoff position. Our goal of making the playoffs and competing for a championship remains the same despite the recent set backs."

They placed assistant coach Donny Gramenz in charge whilst they searched for a replacement and that search has ended with the appointment of former Clarets boss Steve Cotterill who will take over initially for the remaining seven weeks of the season and his first game in charge will be this coming Thursday against Charleston Battery at the National Sports Center in Blaine.

Clarets Mad spoke to Cotterill before he departed for America and he explained that the job was until the end of the season, and their last game is on 20^th September against Montreal Impact. However, it is possible that the deal could be extended if both parties agree to that. He also sent his best wishes to us all at Burnley with the hope that we will have a very good season.

Thunder do still have that chance of the play offs although it will take a series of good results from their last nine games to achieve that.