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By JOSH MARTINEZ
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — Phoenix Rising FC coach Patrice Carteron is leaving the local club for another head coaching job, a player confirmed to Cronkite News Monday.

According to a report by kingfut.com, Carteron is set to sign with top Egyptian club Al Ahly to fill its coaching vacancy. When asked for confirmation, Phoenix Rising spokesman Jose Bosch said the team is not commenting at this time.

Phoenix Rising defender Devante Dubose, however, confirmed the team said farewell to the coach after Monday’s practice.

Carteron’s departure comes amid Phoenix Rising’s bid to join Major League Soccer. In February, the club produced plans for a proposed stadium that would cost approximately $250 million and seat 21,000.

Because Carteron has been with the club since just May of 2017, the move comes as a surprise.

Al Ahly plays in the Egyptian Premier League, the country’s highest league where the club has had much success.

This job marks a return for Carteron, a native of France, to Egypt as he coached Wadi Degla out of the Egyptian Premier League. Other coaching jobs include TP Mazembe in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia and the Mali National Team. As a player, Carteron played in the top tier in the French Premier League.

No word yet on a replacement for Carteron. The club is set to host the Las Vegas Lights Wednesday night.

<em>Madison Kerley contributed to this report.</em>

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