Glad to see the "technical director" talk. I think that is definitely the way to go. Lapper has to be a contender, as does Harkes and potentially Mais (tho he'd have to retire first, I think).
Merz: "Coach Greg Andrulis will take over player personnel decisions" Hey, great idea. He's proven to have such a keen eye for talent over the years.
Honestly I don't mind that. He does have a keen eye for talent (excluding the last gasp aquisitions of Rzepa, Williams, et.); but he is clueless when it comes to using said talent (read into this McBride, Leitch, Bonseau, etc.).
I don't like the statement from Wagner at the end, saying things will happen sooner, rather than later. It sounds like they've already got their minds made up and are just going to go through the obligitory process of interviewing a few sods who don't have a chance in hell of getting the job. I'm trying to be optomistic, but I just have a gut feeling that says HSG is going to bottle this chance to drastically bring some changes. I'm sorry, McCullers and Lapper are probably great guys and all that, but this organization needs some fresh blood and some fresh ideas. Hiring from outside could really help turn this club around and make them strong. However, I guess HSG doesn't see the need to buck the trend of mediocrity.
"Here at Hunt Sports Group, our byword is 'adequacy'. We believe that we have adequate personnel to put an adequate product on the field, providing adequate value for our fans' entertainment dollar. Every year our goal is to attain an adequate position in the standings. This is our promise to you, the adequate fan."
McCullers' not a soccer guy? Why the hell work for the Crew, then? I'm in school specifically to one day have the jobs these guys don't even have the heart for. Give it to me, I'll run this club to 6 consecutive Cups!
If that was a real quote I don't think I would ever attend another Crew match as long as HSG was in control of the team.
The interesting thing here, which would be posted on HPI if there actually WAS such a thing, is this: A few weeks ago, Mark McCullers was offered a very good job with the DC Sports Commission. Presumably it had at least SOMETHING to do with their quest for an SSS. He turned them down. Which was a surprise at the time. To say the least. Now that the other shoe has dropped, it has become obvious why he passed on the opportunity: they already knew that Smith was leaving (this didn't happen in an hour) and he was, if not promised the top stadium job, at least promised that he'd get strong consideration. I don't have a problem with him, or any other real facilities pro, running CCS. I just want a soccer guy running the soccer end. And this does seem to be the trend with other HSG teams, and it's a necessary change. Let one guy worry about powerwashing Section 110 after the F*re fans leave, while another focuses ALL his attention on improving the squad.