Real Salt Lake retains head coach Jeff Cassar for 2017 season

Real Salt Lake head coach Jeff Cassar will return for the 2017 MLS season as club owner Dell Loy Hansen announced Wednesday the two parties have agreed to a new contract.

Cassar, 42, took over at Rio Tinto Stadium in 2014 and has accrued 38 wins in the last three seasons, amassing 148 points.

"Jeff deserves the 2017 year to continue our club's competitive growth," Hansen said.

"His body of work this year - despite the team's late-season slide - and the overwhelming endorsement of him by numerous voices in our locker room confirm my belief that his continuity and our foundation set up Claret-and-Cobalt success in an extremely competitive Western Conference next season."

Cassar said he greatly appreciates the opportunity given to him by the club, with Real Salt Lake finishing the 2016 season with a flat loss to the LA Galaxy in the Western Conference Knockout Round.

As such, his hunt for silverware remains a key focus moving into 2017, though not the only one he's hoping to oversee and grow, saying: "While I am not satisfied with the lack of hardware during my tenure, I do believe that the infrastructure, resources and talent at our disposal for 2017 will be greatly rewarding for the entire 'RSL Family,' especially our incredible fan base."