I doubt this happens but I will say the guy is 3 decades removed from his playing days and I don't imagine has made all that much from coaching. The guy is probably more likely to be swayed by a couple mil than someone like Klopp or Zidane would be
According to his representatives he would agree to have a pay cut just for a privilege to coach Cavan.
Another interesting angle: The situation here is remarkably similar to Spain in 2022, where Luis Enrique was expected to be in charge through 2024 but the Morocco disappointment led them to a quick change. https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/spain-euro-2024-luis-de-la-fuente-3167970 I couldn't recall his exact involvement in the Rubiales/Hermoso scandal, and I think it's fair to call it a gaffe more than anything. When Rubiales gave his infamous speech about how unfairly he'd been treated LdlF applauded. He realized it was a mistake and apparently gave a pretty heartfelt apology. I would hope that alone wouldn't be enough to sink this possibility, but of course our federation is going to be hypervigilant about any gender equity issue.
It’s encouraging that the US job is at least ostensibly attractive enough to be used as a leverage play by the Euro-winning coach.
LDLF, KDLF, LDLT…I’ll be constantly confused when I’m scanning these boards when I need shut eye. Never underestimate the ego of a professional coach/manager. He might think he could win the World Cup with the US in the US. I don’t know his personality, but this could be the case. I bet Jose Mourinho would think he would win the World Cup with this team if he took the job. Of course, the money is the most likely thing. I think the lack of stress also appeals to many.
Today has been so surreal, I fully expect to hear reports that both Nestor Lorenzo and Scaloni will be remaining in Miami to interview for the vacant United States job.
My shortlist: Herve Renard (will be free after Olympics) Thomas Christiansen (currently employed by Panama) Sergio Conceicao Marcello Gallardo Gustavo Alfaro (currently employed by Costa Rica, rumored interest from Paraguay and 600k release clause) Jorge Sampaoli Urs Fischer Ivan Juric Hernan Crespo (currently employed by Al Ain) Bruno Pinheiro I don't watch too much soccer outside of major leagues so I can't say how tactically flexible each one is or how well they organize a press, mainly based it off results then can narrow down based on characteristics. The last two are probably below the Dolo line but I'd still be curious to interview. Some notes for the non-obvious ones: Conceicao: 7 years at Porto, 3 league titles, 3 league runners up, 4 Portuguese cups Gallardo: 8 years at River, 1 league title, 2 league runners up, 3 Argentine cups, 2 time Libertadores title, 1 time Libertadores runner up, 1 Sudamericana title Alfaro: Ecuador’s looked defensively solid when he was in charge, love how quick he threw in Hincapie straight into the lineup at 2021 Copa America, has experience recruiting dual nats (Sarmiento), when he was rumored for Atlanta iirc it was reported he did a bunch of preparation watching film and analyzing the squad, love the level of detail and effort Fischer: Promoted Union Berlin in his first season, then kept them finishing in the top half for 3 straight seasons before the wheels fell off Juric: Consistently mid table with Torino, always look solid defensively Crespo: 1 Sudamericana title with Defensa y Justicia in his only season, 1 league title and 1 cup title in his only season in Qatar(Al Duhail), 1 AFC Champions League title and 1 cup runners up in UAE(Al Ain) so far in 1 year Pinheiro: took a second division team(Estoril) in Portugal to the Portuguese cup semifinals and got them promoted in 1st place in his first season, then kept them mid table in his only other season with them. Was interim boss for a bad Gulf Cup with a B-team for Qatar. Did well with Al-Sadd, sacked on 2.09 PPG leading the league after losing in the AFC Champions League semi. Also was coach for the Qatar team that gave us trouble at the 2019 U-20 World Cup.
Reading the tea leaves it feels like Southgate won’t be back with England. Which would mean he gets serious consideration for the USMNT job.
Some more here on de la Fuente, seems like the issue is he’s not happy with his salary with Spain Is the #USMNT job attractive enough to have EURO winner Luis de la Fuente ACTUALLY interested as reports have indicated? 🤔@GuillemBalague dives into the situation of the Spanish manager and what possible interest he has 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/CjfwIWbLuI— Golazo America (@GolazoAmerica) July 15, 2024
Then you've gotta toss a godfather offer at him if you want him. Not a "hey, this is more, leverage it with Spain" offer. No, a "Spain will not come close to matching this" kind of offer. Offering $3M, he ends up with Spain and $3M. Offer $10M and he might actually choose the money. I suspect Spain would never match even if they have the money -- their mentality will view that as mercenary behavior, etc.
It sure feels like a negotiating tactic. Are there any higher profile openings than the USMNT right now? Maybe England if Southgate leaves, but it doesn't seem like the English style to hire someone like de la Fuente. If Wikipedia is right, Nigeria, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Tunisia are the only other "big" national teams with coaching vacancies right now
I think one of the things is when you feel undervalued by your employer, particularly if it continues after winning the Euros it creates a feeling of disrespect that may lead one to make a decision they wouldn’t otherwise. If de la Fuente has salary demands that Spain is dragging their feet on I could see that as the sort of thing that might be the trigger for him to move. But if I was Spain I wouldn’t be dragging my feet and I’d just give him what he wants.
Well.... They did extend him before the tournament, I think, but I'm not exactly sure how much latitude you have for salary negotiations when the police raided your HQ a few months ago in a corruption investigation. I'm sure everyone in Spain would like to keep him, though, so you'd think a huge increase would survive legal scrutiny.
I’m not sure exactly what his salary demands are but it does seem reasonable to pay him more after he took the team to the Euros and when they were clearly the best team throughout the tournament.
If de la Fuente is actually interested it's a no brainer compared to the other options being put out there. Don't care if he speaks English, get him a translator and get him signed. As others are saying, maybe it is just a negotiating tactic, but if US soccer isn't finding out that would be very poor. Leading candidate immediately.
Sure. I'm just saying there's a lot we can't know and what we can know suggests that federation is a mess. Maybe DLF just wants out. Maybe Rocha is worried he's going down with Rubiales and is loathe to hand out any more raises that might be part of the case against him. Heck, for all I know maybe DLF was part of the corruption as an old boys hire and now he wants to get out of Dodge. Just so much we don't know.
We do have the USSF tax reports. We know the kind of financial challenge they're in and what they can afford. Gareth Southgate currently makes 100,000 pounds A WEEK with England. He was the highest paid coach at the Euros. We're not competing with that. Luis de la Fuente was only making ~1.3 million with Spain. We can compete with that!! Hell, we can double his salary and be fine. Of course, if he's leaving Spain due to salary...............some club in Saudi Arabia can blow it out of the water.
I’ve never been a fan of Benitez but I did think it was interested he said he’s had some conversations with LDLT about the national team.