I love CJ as much as the next guy but I just don't see him translating into a head coaching position in a professional environment. Let's be honest, his soccer acumen was never that polished. Do you really want a coach with only rudimentary knowledge of tactics and technique? I wish him all the best and he may end up being a good assistant but I just don't think he has what it takes from a 'soccer' point of view.
Seriously? I'd like to know what makes you think this. Let's go point by point. Rudimentary knowledge of tactics. CJ knows and understands a ton about the game. Did you ever talk to him about soccer? At each level, from college to D3 to the Fire, he has been an absolute leader on the field. the guy who organizes and directs. The guy who understands the game. If you are going to call his knowledge "rudimentary" then back it up. Tell us why. Technique? Not even sure what you mean by this. He was a fundamentally sound player but certainly not flashy. How was Alex Ferguson on technique? What about Jose Mourinho? Bob Bradley, Bruce Arena, Steve Nichol, Sigi Schmid, Frank Yallop, Dominic Kinnear, just keep going in American soccer. How many of these guys were magicians with the ball as players. For the most part they were solid, cerebral players. CJ is very similar. You don't think he has what it takes from a 'soccer' point of view? Again, you need to explain this. It's a massive slap in the face to a guy who is extremely intelligent on the field and off. What exactly does he not have? I'd love to know. Together with Jesse Marsch and Piotr Nowak, I can't think of any Fire alums more qualified to be a coach based on their soccer brains.
Any player with hardly any skill, who frequently hoofs the ball up the field, average passer, poor dribbler, poor touch... Need I go on? I knew someone would get offended. Hey, I hope that he proves me wrong, I just don't think he 'translates' anything beyond a defensive type assistant coach. Don't take it personally.
I think you're letting CJ's last two years cloud the prior eleven. I'll concede he had a pretty sizable dropoff, but when he was in his prime, as an outside and then center back, he was a rock for this club. And his handling of his reponsibilities in the Juniors was top notch. Remember, Matko got his start as a youth coach as well. Regardless, this is the kind of GUY you want to stay in the organization, whether as a coach or simply as a perfect example of how to be a professional.
Not taking it personally. I'm just a little shocked that this is what you see in him as a potential coach. Again, I don't know that any of the things you list above have any relevance on coaching, but you are entitled to your opinion. By the way, of all of our defenders over the years, CJ is the one I would least criticize for simply hoofing the ball up field. He would when under pressure, but in the grand scheme, I think he was pretty good at making decisions with the ball. I think the more relevant criteria for a player as potential coach is how the team plays around that person. There were a couple of occasions last year where our defense went from organized and solid to an absolute disaster when CJ would leave the game. I want to say that was the case against AC Milan? Might have been a Sister Cities game. I can't remember.
All good points Chris M. I guess I've always been one of those that prefer not to have defensive type players become head coaches, especially one who I considered more brawn than brain. In my opinion, Defender's rarely become great coaches, although I think it's fine at the youth level where decent coaches with pro experience are hard to come by. Again, I think he may have the personality to be a coach, although I would prefer someone with a more attacking pedigree about them because that is where MLS teams/players lack the most. Still I wish you the best CJ and thank you for your service to the club. It will be weird seeing you on the other bench.
would you be happy with the next Robin Fraser? I think CJ will become just that, a very good defender who retires from the league and immediately joins RSL's staff, coaches for ~3 years, gets plenty of experience in a bigger coaching position, and develops a pedigree. If he follows a path similar to Fraser than expect him to get plenty of head coaching offers 2-3 years from now. I'm glad he's part of RSL now, like Fraser. He fits into RSL's system of two way playing and strong defending. He'll be a good addition to the RSL family.
I'd buy that for a dollar. Hope he coaches for your youth program as well, you'll love him if you've got a kid that plays for RSL's academy or younger ages.
Well, looking at our recent history, I can understand your desire not to hire a defensive minded coach. But, I wouldn't be so quick to put that label on anyone until you know their philosophy. There are loads of defenders that have gone on to be successful coaches and often with dynamic offenses. Arsene Wenger comes to mind immediately. On the flip side, you have midfielders (like a MF from the 1986 Mexican World Cup team) who promise to coach attacking beautiful soccer and don't. I don't know for sure how CJ will coach. I do know that he has played on dynamic, attacking soccer teams in college, in SF before he was drafted by the Fire, and for the Fire for several years. As a defender, I would not be surprised if he subscribes to the idea that a good defense involves keeping the ball in the other team's end.
For once you can't infract me so I'll take this moment to say... I hope you have your legs run over by an 18 wheeler loaded with live pigs and while being driven to the hospital I hope Jason Kreis runs head on into your ambulance causing a three alarm fire that kills off any chance of your lineage from extending.
You're not alone but unfortunately this just isn't true. Based on your belief you would have passed on the following: Arsene Wenger (Sweeper), Pep Guardiola (Defensive Midfielder), Felipe Scolari (Defender) and Jose Mourinho (Such a horrid player that he had enough sense to quit and focus on learning to become a manager). Fact is that you might strongly consider a defender before a forward because the smart ones damn well know how to exploit defensive schemes. Most Defenders who become managers understand that your best defense is a strong and attack oriented one. If you do a lil research, you will be amazed at the number of Defenders whom are not only successful managers but the large amount who's teams play fun to watch football. Fonsos
I wouldn't say his last two years. I'd say his entire eleven. Sure, the guy was with the Fire the entire time. But I frequently wished he would go somewhere else. It always struck me as a bad thing that he was playing. He might have been decent his first couple of years, but then the league left him behind. Unfortunately we kept calling his number. That said, it's in his best interest (and ours) if he leaves for coaching. He should be allowed to get a fresh start and see things from a different view point. Here he will always be the player. And he obviously wants to be a coach.
Oh look, It's the "look how many great defender coaches there are" argument. Indeed, CJ has the potential to be the next Arsene Wenger, I completely understand that and I understand the love affair Fire fans have with the guy. Still, I have a hard time believing CJ will pull off a head coaching gig. Guess I just wasn't ever that impressed with him and never thought of him as a cerebral defender(which maybe I'm the only one who thinks that this is important). I also don't think Robin Fraser or Denis Hamlet make good coaches either, nor Alexi Lalas nor Marcelo Balboa nor Fernando Clavijo nor Des Armstrong or any of the other old school American Defenders who didn't grow up with the game like the rest of the world did. This is just one man's opinion, and I'm just surprised how nobody can even fathom that he may not be good head coaching material. It really is possible you know. I'm actually happy with our new Assistant and willing to give him a shot.
I think he would have been fine as a head coach!! Great guy!! I wish him well in RSL!! The Fire should have kept him even as an asst. coach - continuity is a a good thing - familiarity with a coach/team can be big!!
Guys, not trying to rub salt in the wound, but I thought you might appreciate this photo I found of the RSL preseason camp.
And exactly why would you think we would appreciate this? Go sodomize yourself with an iron stick and then rub salt in that wound.
I blame fire management for not hiring CJ. Doesn't mean I want RSLots coming on here and posting photos of it. It's like your wife leaving you because you're a jerk. It may be your fault, but it will still piss you off if her new husband sends you a picture from the honeymoon suite.