In an anticipated move months overdue, New England Revolution President Brian Bilello on Thursday appointed the club’s technical director, Curt Onalfo, to the post of sporting director.

Onalfo, 54, became interim sporting director when head coach Bruce Arena, who served in both capacities, was suspended by the team on July 30 pending an MLS investigation for using inappropriate language. Arena would resign a month later.

“Curt has done an outstanding job playing a leading role in our sporting operations for the last five seasons, helping rebuild the Revolution into a trophy contender at every level of our program,” said Bilello.

Onalfo has been coaching and performing front office duties over the last 20 years, the last five with the Revolution. Onalfo supervised the Revolution’s Pro Player Pathway, the Revolution Academy and the club’s developmental component, Revolution II, since its inaugural season in 2020. This past campaign, Revolution II set team records for wins, points and goals scored.

Revs interim head coaches Richie Williams and Clint Peay were not able to successfully manage the team in Arena’s absence. The Revolution floundered through the final months of the season and were eliminated in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs by the Philadelphia Union.

Onalfo’s first orders of business is the set the training camp roster and hire a new head coach.

RICH THOMPSON