RSL signs Mike Petke to long-term contract extension

Real Salt Lake announced Thursday the club has signed head coach Mike Petke to a contract extension, handing the former New York Red Bulls boss a multi-year deal of at least three more years.

"Loyalty is huge for me," Petke said in a club-issued statement. "I'm ecstatic at the prospect of being here at least three more years. And I'm excited and ecstatic about what I think we can accomplish together.

"I'm on cloud nine because I have an owner who values me, likes what I'm doing and wants to reward me for that."

Petke took over at RSL at the end of March, stepping up from the club's USL side Real Monarchs to take the helm from Jeff Cassar. In the months that followed, Petke guided RSL to a 13-12-4 record (W-L-D) and narrowly missed playoffs, despite posting the fourth-best record in the final 15 tilts of the year.

Petke returns next season alongside his assistant coaches Freddy Juarez, Tyrone Marshall, and Todd Hofford, as well as a host of staff members - the result of a positive impression they left on club part-owner Dell Loy Hansen.

"The arrival of Mike Petke into our organization over the last 10 months, first as head coach of the Monarchs and then in his seven months with RSL, has re-energized not only the fan base and the locker room, but myself and every single person involved," Hansen offered.

"I hope our fans share in this excitement and optimism for 2018 and beyond."