News: Aigner terminates contract

Since speculation based on word of mouth from a few players is being referenced here, I will also share that based on what I heard recently from direct connections, some very notable figures in the lockerroom have also said "WTF?" about Hudson's coaching decisions and stubbornness (in private, at least). Then again, this isn't shocking. Anyone in their right mind (including my kids' goldfish) can figure out Hudson's system/tactics flaws and also see that he doesn't know how to adapt. We've all said "WTF?" many times all season. So, surely the players see that too. And frankly, Aigner probably saw that right away as well and possibly said something (speculation, but def. possible). Anyway, going down the path of a coach losing the lockerroom goes far beyond and far deeper than a pro-Aigner/anti-Aigner spat.

Regardless, I'd also say that unless the above-posted rumors about players confronting Aigner are date-stamped, they don't mean too much. If the above interactions occurred after Hudson/Aigner had their initial falling out in private, and the relationship and behavior was already tainted with an eventual separation written on the wall, then the rumors don't hold much weight as Aigner may have already made his decision to bail from this ship and acted detached. Conversely, if these rumors about his behavior occurred first and CAUSED the issues, it's another story. But, until someone verifies that with observed facts and proof, the grains of salt stand in waiting in large quantities.

The point is, we don't know. And we never will.

The termination agreement likely included anti-disclosure and anti-disparagement clauses. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle and quite complicated. Anyway, burnt out on it.

Completely.

Bottomline, we're left with an incompetent coach who lost 9 straight and may also lose the lockerroom if he hasn't already.

 

We can debate who is to blame between Aigner and Hudson all season and still come to no better conclusion than we had on Day 1. Unless you know Hudson or Aigner, most of it is speculation, hearsay, or out of context.

More importantly. Much more importantly...

Even if Stefan Aigner had never been born, I would not hesitate to conclude that Anthony Hudson is failing miserably (again) as a club coach, has shown a penchant for being stubbornly set in his ways with player selections and tactics game after game, and has shown almost zero form of accountability for the bad results (he'd rather throw "the team" and "certain players" under the bus). Sprinkle in 9 straight losses, horrific form (statistically, some of the worst performance in MLS history the past two games), and little hope for things changing, and you have plenty of grounds for coach termination.

Even in the absence of AignerGate, this is all I need to know to draw my conclusions of Anthony Hudson.

And regardless of the blame game on AignerGate, the end result is that EVEN IF cap space is opened up via this contract termination, the value of the freed dollars of cap, TAM, or whatnot just dropped to being worth pennies on the dollar. Unless we pay double market value (figuratively), what marquee player would want to enter this clusterf*ck? A failing coach, cases of player/coach spats, potentially lost lockerroom, a failing FO/owner, and almost zero visible path to things getting better. Who would possibly sign up for that? (unless we way overpay their value, that is).

 

The #Rapids96 have now slipped to No. 452 of the 464 soccer teams in @FiveThirtyEight's global club football rankings. Take THAT, you 12 other clubs: https://t.co/wKnRUilASf

— Daniel Boniface (@danielboniface) June 11, 2018

 

Dang Daniel is working on a Permanment Ban

 

This.

What possible benefit would players have to blame the coach.

Reminds of another current topic in the news. When one side refuses to go public, the other side gets to sling as much mud as possible, hoping some will stick.

Invariably, some does.

 

I would bet on the other clubs if they had to play head to head.

 

Nice. It would kinda be a round-robin tourney on the Isle of Misfit Toys. Awesome! The bottom 13 of the world’s 464!

And you’re right, the other misfits like the Charlie-in-the-Box and the Cowboy that rides an ostrich would surely trounce the train with square wheels (a.k.a., the Rapids).

[Apologies to those unfamiliar with the reference]

 

Isle of Dogs might be more appropriate.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5104604/

A round-robin I would watch would be USA, Ireland, Netherlands, and Italy in a "Why Aren't We in Russia During the WC Break" tournament.

 

Thanks for the update, Jason. I was just about ready to write (using my best Homer Simpson voice), "Take that ______!", but then I realized I didn't know any of the other teams. Although I would like to have a beer with Patrick Thistle; seems like a nice enough guy.

 

I've been to some Bundesliga 3 games (SV Wehen Wiesbaden). They're pretty fun.

 

Well, I’d take that over not playing at all (because of a coach) on a poorly managed club that is running into the ground (because of a coach... among other things).

Also, I’d add, that when you’re on the wrong side of 30, nearing retirement age, and married with kid(s), there are many other intangibles that can affect such pursuits (location of wife’s family, post-playing opps, etc.).

In sum, I doubt the crowd size for Liga III was weighing on a family guy who took a job along the Rhine near Cologne/Düsseldorf.

 

1. Where did I say it was entirely the coach’s fault? The coach calls the XI and 18. And this coach chose not to feature him for unclear reasons. While of course both played a role, for Aigner, this spat was unique to this coach. Never happened before in Aigner’s career. So I stand by that.
2. Define “a general feeling out there”. Pervasive? Documented? Or just one camp’s side? (rhetoricals).
3. He’s long gone. Let it go. Move on.
(at least until GashiGate starts).

 

Honestly, I don't see any angle that makes Aigner look good in this. Disliking Hudson and the crappy state of the Rapids doesn't excuse him. The rats-jumping-ship explanations must always acknowledge that we're dealing with rats.

 

I can’t go first. I’m not the one who keeps posting posthumous Aigner jabs that warrant response.

 

This appears to be the perfect example of a case not being and either/or, but an and. Someone played it wrong and the other person through gas on it. Not sure who was first or second, but I'm not sure it makes a difference.

I tend to blame Hudson for everything Rapids because the buck stops with him. Aigner is not responsible for the demise of the Rapids.

 

I'm jealous of Aigner.

 

In recent weeks, 1860 fans have accused him of being a "mercenary" player. 1860 is his boyhood club by the way. Aigner definitely has a black eye to show for all this, and its hard to say it isn't deserved.

 

I don’t disagree. And he’ll end up dealing with his self-inflicted black eye on his own. But we’re still stuck with the other key player/contributor in this mess... a stubborn-ass coach who may likely do this again with other top-pay, top-skill players (awaiting GashiGate)... while continuing to play his subpar system players in every minute of every match and forcing other players into mismatched roles to fit his strict system (not to mention a litany of other questionable coaching decisions that are leading this club to the precipice).

My point: With Aigner gone and back in D-land, there’s no point in continuing to cast blame on him when we’re stuck with much bigger problems here because of the other guy who helped prompt the Aigner debacle.