[MLS] The Chicago Fire, which missed MLS Cup 2009 by losing the semifinal on penalty kicks to eventual champ Real Salt Lake, will not renew the head coach Dennis Hamlett's contact, which expires at the end of this year. In his first year at the Fire helm, in 2008, Hamlett also guided the Fire to the conference final, which it lost to that year's eventual champ, Columbus.

Hamlett leaves the Fire with a 24-17-19 (win-loss-tie) record. Hamlett had been on the Chicago Fire coaching staff since its inaugural season in 1998 and was named head coach on Jan. 11, 2008.

"Denis has a long history with the club and has been a part its success since our inaugural year in 1998," said Fire Technical Director Frank Klopas. "We are grateful for his commitment to the Fire and his leadership throughout his career with the club. We wish him the very best and he will always be considered a part of the Fire family. Right now, the Fire has decided to take the team in a new direction in 2010."