CF Montréal owner Joey Saputo says he will begin the process of selling the Major League Soccer club and wants it to remain under Montreal ownership.

The announcement came Monday after the worst season in club history, according to Canadian Press reporting published by Sportsnet. Montréal finished last in the Eastern Conference with six wins, 20 losses and eight draws, and lost the Canadian Championship final to Forge FC. Frustrated supporters boycotted games late in the season.

“After more than three decades of commitment, we believe this is the appropriate time to begin the process of identifying new ownership for CF Montréal,” Saputo said.

Saputo, who founded the franchise as the Montreal Impact in 1992 and helped bring it into MLS in 2012, said the decision was not made out of urgency. He said he wants a new ownership group with the resources, vision and commitment to build on the club’s foundation.

The club says management and staff will remain in place during the ownership transition.

Saputo also said his family would continue working to bring a national soccer training centre to Montreal, which could potentially become a new home for the club.

Sources