This same rumor was posted on 7-10 by unknown (to me) source. I have not seen any confirming postings or further info until this, which appears to be identical to the earlier posting. Unconvinced.
I have no issue with GB as Fire coach. I would love others but frankly I think others that are actually better would not come to the Fire alas.
just for a thought exercise: assuming GGG hired and assuming he is rigid about a 4-3-3, how does that look with the Fire (current roster, full squad)? Guti Hugo MHS Acosta Gaston Fabi(?) Gutman Rafa Teran Arigoni Shaq on the RW instead of MHS maybe
Need to allow for injuries currently but with Playoffs not possible, why not try it? Would be interesting to see Fire play this formation for 6+ matches. How well would team adjust, especially Acosta and Gutierrez? It could broaden and sharpen the offensive skills of Gutierrez. Would reduce pressure on Cuypers. Do we have sufficient coaching savvy to try it?
I have seen a bunch of folks lathered up with loathing for GGG while he was with the USMNT, I didn't get it. I feel like a lot of it came out of the Gio Reyna thing and honestly, the from my view the problem there was 100% the player and 9,000% the helicopter parents bullshit (and if USSF had any morals....which they never have...nobody over 30 named "Reyna" would be allowed in or near any USSF event or facility again in their lives). There is a fair case that this generations talent means that their record under his watch should have been better (especially there at the end). I get that, but I also don't feel like I saw nearly the same level of passion from the players as I have on all the previous generations of the USMNT....and I feel like that was more to blame and that's on the players. However....even if I don't get the level of hate from some folks.....I also don't feel like he's a compelling coaching selection for us. If he ends up here, I am on board with "Let's see what he does" but it's not gonna have me excited from the jump.
I’d be totally fine with Gregg as Fire coach. He’s had MLS success and WC experience, something no other Fire coach has had when they were hired. I’d think he wouldn’t want to work with Heitz/Pelzer though. I don’t see the Fire getting anyone who has an option. More likely GGG to Atlanta (unless they e already hired someone?)
That's funny. Good for laugh, but not much more. This makes no sense, for the Fire or for Berhalter. Nothing says lack of ambition for the Fire than hiring a recently fired coach who's team failed miserably in the recent tournament, crashing out in embarrassing fashion. Nothing says lack of ambition for Berhalter than accepting a job with one of the worst teams in MLS. It is such a silly idea, I could almost see it happening.
his MLS tenure was before my time following the league but the numbers say “success” is a bit generous won 38% of his games and had a total goal differential of +5 in his five seasons for Columbus
Well, for the Chicago fire, that would be "success," sadly. They made it to one MLS Cup (2015) and failed to qualify for the playoffs twice during his tenure.
Unless he has moved Berhalter lives in Chicago, so it would be an easy next job for him. I think he has the chops, and he's certainly used to working with a limited universe of players. He's a smart guy. I don't think he was the right guy for the USMNT position, but I don't think he would do a bad job here. I'd go so far as to say I'd support the hiring.
Both Acosta and Klopas spoke glowingly of Berhalter. Is this some sort of predictor about an approaching announcement?
Good. I hope this comes to fruition. Pep isn’t walking through the door, so any coach the Fire get will have warts on their resume or insufficient experience to criticize. Someone with MLS and international experience would be a more qualified coach than nearly any we’ve had. This is about as good as we can expect.
Based on his role it will be the next GM's call... https://www.chicagofirefc.com/club/footballoperations/pelzer Chicago Fire FC Technical Director Sebastian Pelzer joined the Club on Dec. 28, 2019. In his role as Technical Director, Pelzer scouts and evaluates players locally and abroad, helps establish relationships with clubs around the world and works closely with Head Coach Frank Klopas and the coaching and technical staff, along with assisting with football operations budget and team salary cap. Pelzer, who holds a UEFA B coaching license, spent five years on the players’ council of the German Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA). Most recently, Pelzer worked as a consultant at Heusler Werthmüller Heitz AG, where he contributed to change management and strategic operations for several football organizations in Europe. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebastian_Pelzer On 28 December 2019, Sebastian Pelzer was announced as the new Technical Director of Major League Soccer franchise Chicago Fire. The official press release stated: "[Pelzer] will work on all aspects of the Fire’s football operations and will report to new Fire Sporting Director Georg Heitz. In his role as Technical Director, Pelzer, will scout and evaluate players locally and abroad; help establish relationships with clubs around the world; work closely with Fire Head Coach Raphael Wicky and the coaching and technical staff; as well as help with the football operations budget and team salary cap."[5] In an article in the Chicago Tribune, Heitz described Pelzer as a “maniac” with an extensive knowledge of players. “Sebastian is a database. He knows so many players, he’s interested in various markets. He monitors players every day. He really, in a positive sense, is quite a bit of a maniac when it comes to players. He always tries to find players every day.”[6] Chicago Fire owner Joe Mansueto describes both Georg Heitz and Sebastian Pelzer as “critical to our future.” Perhaps unusually for an owner he went on to say, “I’m willing to spend as fast as Georg and Sebastian are willing to build in terms of a scouting organization and building up our development of the academy and youth programs.”[7] On August 18, 2021, it was announced that Fire Owner, Mansueto, had purchased FC Lugano and that the Fire and FC Lugano were to work together as sister clubs.[8] Pelzer was immediately brought in to oversee recruitment and strategy for the Swiss club. Speaking in the Swiss Press Pelzer stated on his role at Lugano, "Of course we exchange ideas regularly. I am in daily contact with [FC Lugano sports coordinator] Carlos da Silva. It's important not to have diametrically different ideas about football."[9] Pelzer's impact during the club's first season would immediately prove successful, as FC Lugano were able to win their first title in 29 years, winning the 2021–22 Swiss Cup.[10] Under Pelzer Chicago Fire have shown a remarkable ability to make big returns on their player investments. Particularly from transfers to the English Premier League, a league Pelzer knows well from his time spent playing there. By January 2023 it is estimated[by whom?] Pelzer earned Chicago $37 million USD with the transfers of Gabriel Slonina[citation needed]