Alert: Gregg Berhalter Sporting Director and Head Coach Career Deathwatch or should that be "Nut Rider?"

Coaching staff: Wolff and GGG have a history.

Just sayin'

 

Great comment!

 

I (shamefully) admit to watching the virtual town hall with GGG on YouTube.
He indicated they were looking to add six new starters. Wow!
Given that and his other comments plus MLS Salary Budget Charge rules, it sure sounds like an adios to Gimenez, Souquet and Mueller and a sale of Teran.

 

Gimenez and Souquet are very likey gone, but there’s a long shot chance Gimenez is bought down and stays.

Mueller and MHS were referenced as ‘good depth’.

Teran has been referenced as a special athlete that could become a top5 CB in the league…not expecting him to depart.

Prior starters not starting next year are: Gimenez, Mueller, MHS, Czichos, and Arigoni/Soquet…which is 6 people 5 positions. Might be able to include Fede…he didn’t start a lot and probably will not start a lot next year either.

 

Agree we do not know what the plan is. But his statement “6 new starters” would seem to mean 5 of last year’s starters remain. That would be Brady, Gutman, Cuypers, Acosta and Guti (IMO) based upon GGG comments.
Six new starters will require considerable resources. I think they will need to
generate cap space and probably increase GAM to accomplish this.
Gimenez, Souquet and Mueller are three major consumers of resources and they
are not going to be starters. No reason to think any of them are willing to a major salary reduction.
A Teran sale could be a way to generate a lot of GAM.
Just my best guess

 

I believe the 5 retained starters are Cuypers, Guti, Acosta, Teran and Brady.

I'm not confident Gutman retains his starting position...he was 3/4 speed after the injury...hope he can get back to 100%.

Teran has been mentioned by GGG at least 3 times as 'special', so it would likely need to be a big number to see him sold.

It wasn't directly mentioned, but it was fully implied that Mueller is unprotected and there is interest in him.

ZERO mentions on Gimenez and Souquet...closest thing to a mention is "we have 2 DP tags to work with"...but we do know they have been working on a new placement for both for multiple years.​

 

Gutman or Teran as starter no.5 was most difficult choice for me.
A healthy Teran paired with Czichos looked really good a couple years ago. When Teran was paired with other CBs more recently, he has not looked as good. Does not seem to be ready to be a team leader/captain yet. And we need somebody in back row who can do that.
His salary is no longer low and there are rumblings he wants to go Europe as soon as possible. If they cannot sell him at a high price now, then keep him and do it shortly, hopefully at mid-season.
Not like Fire have a lot of players they could sell at a profit and, trust me, they will need the GAM.
Gutman should have more time to show what he can do.

 

Guess this goes here…
Chicago Fire FC has announced that Sebastian Pelzer has been named the Chief Sports Officer of partner club FC Lugano.

his responsibilities will be taken over by Broughton and Stephens,

Chicago Fire FC has announced that Sebastian Pelzer has been named the Chief Sports Officer of partner club FC Lugano.

Best of luck on this new chapter, Sebastian 👏 #cf97

— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) November 23, 2024

 

Stupid question, but has Joe decided to separate Lugano and Fire in terms of the FO? I'm guessing that the only way GGG looks at Lugano going forward is in order to dump contracts or possibly to get some young South Americans to Europe for exposure after a brief stint at the Fire.

 

More like 3G wants to get his hand picked people in these positions here. Lugano was always a bit of a step sister to the Fire except they have done more with less since Mansueto bought them.

In 3G's last season at Columbus he brought in LB Milton Valenzuela, currently at Lugano. Valenzuela won an MLS Cup after 3G left and his contract runs out in June. He would want a TAM deal and is an upgrade.

https://warriorswire.usatoday.com/s...s-crew-couldnt-agree-new-contract/9283313002/

 

Ok. So Heitz and Pelzer are both still employed by Joe, just at Lugano. LOL

 

This echoes my comments on how Joe approves of their work.

 

I don't believe either of them have much to do with Lugano's success, now or in the future. It's more a matter of the resources thrown their way by Joe that proved decisive in a league where resources can make a difference. Lugano seems to have some good people that are using those resources well.. I think Joe likes and trusts Heitz (& maybe Peltzer) but needed to move them for the Fire's own good.

 

Agree he can hire whoever he wants.
Kinda like a MLB owner telling the coaching staff “we really like your losing record and, as a reward, we will let you coach our AA team”.
Also funny- Joe kept me (and others) tied in knots trying to figure out what the deal was regarding Pelzer.
Might just be my weird sense of humor.

 

GGG is Director of Football for Fire. Pelzer is Chief Sports Officer at Lugano.
Anybody know how the duties differ, or are they the same?
All these titles are confusing, at least for me.

 

If I figure it out I’ll let you know.

 

Agreed! It also generally indicates that PapaJoe and GGG 'got on the same page' with how GGG could be dual role (SD & HC)....a larger staff!

 

It is always difficult to me to evaluate staff personnel. Seems even tougher than players because there are “systems” in place regarding the players.
I agree that it looks like a very good group GGG and Joe are assembling. I get the feeling substantial dollars are being spent.
Looking forward to the major player announcements we are all waiting for.

 

I hear it every day.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯