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Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb said the Liberty decided to fire coach Sandy Brondello this week after a “thorough examination” that went beyond this season.

Speaking to reporters Thursday morning for the first time since the firing, Kolb said the decision to dump Brondello was not “punitive nor reactive.” 

“Evolution is what is needed at this time,” Kolb said. 

The Liberty fired Brondello, the winningest coach in the franchise’s history, on Tuesday after a title defense that fell well short of expectations. 

The Liberty signed Brondello to a two-year contract extension, with a team option for 2026, after the Liberty won the title last season, sources told The Post.

The Liberty got off to a franchise-best start, winning nine straight games, only to stumble over the next three months to finish in fifth place.

New York embraced being the underdog, but were bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the Phoenix Mercury on Sept. 19.

Moments after the painful Game 3 loss in Phoenix, Brondello said the group was “very disappointed” in the outcome, but she “couldn’t be more proud” of her players.

Several of the Liberty’s star players voiced support for their coach, too.

Asked what her response would be to people who question whether Brondello should be back in 2026, Breanna Stewart said, “The way that she continued to kind of, I don’t know, deal with the cards she was dealt was incredible. It wasn’t easy for anybody. But she came in every day with a positive attitude and a mindset to put us in our best position possible and best foot forward… She has our back and we have hers.”

The search for Brondello’s replacement is on. Several sources said that the Liberty are targeting a coach with NBA experience. 

Kolb said the team has a “very clear vision” of what they’re looking for in a new coach.

And he expects the new coach to have the team’s core intact.

“I have the utmost confidence that [Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones] want to be back,” Kolb said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.