Liberty coach Brondello out after first-round exit

The New York Liberty announced that manager Sandy Brondello's declaration was not being renewed connected Tuesday, 4 days aft the defending champions were eliminated successful the archetypal circular of the playoffs.

"We would similar to convey Sandy Brondello for her everlasting impact," Liberty GM Jonathan Kolb said successful a statement.

"Sandy finishes her tenure successful New York arsenic the winningest manager successful franchise history, and she took america to never-before-seen heights arsenic the archetypal caput manager to pb the Liberty to a championship. We privation Sandy the precise champion successful her adjacent chapter."

After starring the Liberty to their archetypal WNBA title past year, the squad struggled with injuries to Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu. They earned the No. 5 playoffs effect but mislaid their first-round bid to the Phoenix Mercury 79-73 successful Game 3 connected Friday.

"She has our back, and we person hers," Stewart said aft Friday's loss, erstwhile asked astir Brondello staying connected arsenic coach. "It wasn't casual for anybody, but she came successful each time with a affirmative cognition and a mindset to enactment america successful our champion presumption possible. So we're not going to beryllium a squad that points fingers.

"So we person Sandy's back."

Guard Natasha Cloud said, "Sandy did an astonishing occupation this twelvemonth of getting america done injuries, keeping america together, staying optimistic and positive. Sandy is 1 of the winningest coaches successful this f---ing league. Every subordinate loves her truthful I'm holding Sandy's back. She has my back. I deliberation determination should beryllium a batch much respect and that tin beryllium said to our fans too."

Brondello was hired to coach the Liberty successful December 2021 and went 107-53 successful 4 seasons.

ESPN's Katie Barnes and The Associated Press contributed to this report.