News: MLS Coaching and Front Office - News & Discussion Thread 2024

Before 2022, SKC's average position in the SS standings in 13 seasons under Vermes was fourth, plus there were 3 Open Cup wins and a CCL semi, so he's bought himself some leeway.

But as someone said in a USMNT coach thread, eventually things become stale.

He's probably got another season to turn things around.

 

The MLSPA released an updated salary list for the players:

https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide

 

Schmetzer will remain a Sounder for a while longer.

 

He’s clearly not the problem. Talent Acquisition (GM) and injury are the problem, and even that hasn’t been that bad.

 

In an injury-riddled down year, we finished with 57 points. Hard to complain too much about that.

 

Nico is VERDE. 🌳 🌳

Nico Estévez has been named Head Coach of #AustinFC! pic.twitter.com/xdirq7XTTV

— Austin FC (@AustinFC) October 25, 2024

BREAKING: The San Jose Earthquakes are in advanced negotiations with Bruce Arena over their head coach vacancy, sources tell @GiveMeSport.

Nothing is agreed or signed, but Arena travelled to San Jose on Friday to potentially reach an agreement.https://t.co/8nOOk2cNMO

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) October 25, 2024

 

Sources: Chicago Fire to name Mikey Stephens as head of recruitment.

It's the Fire's first front office hire under Gregg Berhalter. Stephens joins from LA Galaxy, where he was assistant GM under Will Kuntz.

Stephens played for Fire & LAG in his career. https://t.co/RtK6GRg9FO

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) October 26, 2024

 

Sources: Carlos Llamosa is a name to watch in USL Championship coaching carousel this winter, including interest from expansion side Brookyln FC.

Llamosa was a longtime assistant under Gio Savarese at both the Portland Timbers and New York Cosmos. Made 29 caps with the USMNT. pic.twitter.com/4TogK5IwFM

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) October 29, 2024

 

Ah, Carlos Llamosa.

That’s a guy I would have predicted would be a great coach. Hasn’t happened yet. But as a player, he was great despite average athleticism. Plus, he’s bilingual, plus he seems like he has the right determination and character…remember that he had stopped playing pro soccer to earn a living in America.

 

And worked as a janitor first AFAIR, a great guy.

 

Right, I’m pretty sure he worked at the World Trade Center when they tried to blow it up in 1993…I could look up his Wikipedia page, but I think I remember reading that.

And that’s part of why I think he’d be a good coach…he won’t take anything for granted.

 

Bruce Arena spoke to @JeffreyCarlisle, who asked Arena what he did to be placed under MLS investigation before resigning with NE:

Arena: "It was just staff joking around with each other in private. I accept any of the criticism and I'm moving forward."https://t.co/NJhXDX0iH7 https://t.co/Tt6McMgJBu

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) November 7, 2024

 

Locker room talk. It’s OK, apparently.

 

Well, as much as I am not a fan of the Fire hiring Berhalter, it could have been worse.
They could have hired Bruce Arena.
Yes, Arena is a better manager, but he is so f'n stale and toxic.

 

He did call Williams ABMOD.

 

Jim Curtin let go by the Union. Every MLS team looking for a coach is probably calling his agent now.

 

Wonder if Chicago and/or San Jose are wishing for a reset?

 

I imagine the ones that don't want to spend money are ringing incessantly.

So that goes for 2/3 of the league.

 

Is there a reason for this? Yes, Philly missed the playoffs this season, but they were pretty good starting in 2019...

 

I can't say for certain. This is definitely a shock. It was likely one or a combination of the following:

1.) Jim has been politely critical of the organization not spending money
2.) Jim stated at his last post game presser that he felt the team didn't need an extensive overhaul.
3.) Ernst Tanner may want to make substantial changes to the roster (centerbacks), Jim may or may not agree with this (see above point).
4.) He's been Head Coach for 10 seasons. Maybe the players in their end of season interviews expressed a need for a different voice?

It feels like this was a little bit of all of the above. It was just time for both sides to part ways.

 

I think that both Curtin and Philly didn’t want to pull an SKC.