Unless he's changed his mind about not leaving Philly with his kids still in school (the reason he didn't want to take the Atlanta job), that's not happening.
I doubt the search firms have had enough time to bill SKC enough hours to provide their final report yet.
Don’t even think coach should be the first priority. Get the CSO in first. At the very least then they can plan the style and help finding a coach that fits. Hopefully coach is in before roster decisions for 2025 are due, preferably earlier so he can be in on scouting process ahead of winter window.
Buzz is dead on. It has to be the CSO (which I've always called the DoF and I apologize, it thought that was the title).. If you hire the coach, then bring in a CSO, he's gonna want to hire a coach, it's one of the prime responsibilities of the position. Saddle him with a guy already in the job and it's an easy excuse. KZ has the rest of the year, i think (unless they do a package deal, CSO and head coach) or hire a longer term temp, My guess is KZ gets the rest of the season, though.
I do wonder if Burns is a candidate for CSO. A big part of the CSO/DoF job for a lot of people is exactly what Burns does, overseeing player issues and recruitment. We'd be adding the power to hire/fire the head coach and some financial control of the club.
Illig said they are going to play "attractive" soccer... Listening to his press conference the other day gave me little confidence that ownership knows what they are doing. Nepo babies don't make the best leaders.
attractive soccer is in the mind of the viewer. I thought SKC played wonderful, attractive soccer in the six or so years after we moved into CMP, until Vermes decided to go full possession. But, around the league, it was often described as ugly soccer. I would say they are wrong. And I would say it in a haughy way that implies they don't really get the game. Great defense is attractive as hell. A good press is attractive and exciting. Great goal keeping is attractive soccer, as well.
I am optimistic that Kerry will have an answer for a team that comes to CMP and 'parks the bus' and I wish him the best fate has to offer. Breaking down a 'parked bus' though is one of my prime requirements for the next SKC manager. I agree that a CSO/DoF should be up first, which makes me regret my lack of managerial exp. because then I would definitely send in a resume. Per my experience attractive futbol is when the players on the field are happy, win or lose.
Which is why I really don't much care what Illig says. He's the money guy. Hire a CSO and let them get to work. Don't say anything further about KZ - the coaching hire is no longer your concern. After the CSO hires a coach, be at that press conference to say positive things and then fade into the background and do you (maybe) one interview per season.
In a column identifying a stat that defines the season for each club, Doyle lands on a bit of positivity for SKC, which he notes began in Vermes last game, but has continued through the new regime. It begins by noting: "Stat: 97th percentile It hasn’t been an easy transition to MLS for Manu García, Sporting’s big offseason acquisition. The Spanish No. 10 struggled to get on the ball in good spots and to, for lack of a better term, just make stuff happen (for the most part, anyway), despite his obvious skill on the ball. Things started to shift in the final game of the Peter Vermes era, and over the subsequent two outings under interim manager Kerry Zavagnin, García’s been getting on the ball in better spots and doing more with it for a KC attack that suddenly looks dangerous (the defense has looked dangerous in a different way). García’s now in the 97th percentile of shot-creating actions, as per FBRef. That’s involvement in “the two offensive actions directly leading to a shot, such as passes, take-ons, and drawing fouls.”
Sticking to the "what comes next".....how about finding some coaches to help KZ? The coaching staff is KZ, Wallace, and Roger. They also have a keeper coach. Most college staffs have three or four coaches. How is KZ supposed to get anything done when he has to basically do everyting?
I'd be curious how they manage that though with the fact he's the interim. How many coaches are going to sign on to potentially be kicked to the curb in 6 months when a new coach is brought in? Do you just go talking to your former players? Like Nagamura, Nielsen, and Feilhaber (3 guys I can think of that given their previous experience have a level of coaching license that's probably appropriate)?
The keeper coach is Dufty? Looking at other MLS clubs, they have a coaching staff of something like 7, though one is video and one is S and C. Don't know why we lost the last two. Were they fired? I think Buzz's idea is the only one that might work, call on a couple old friends/teammates with six month contracts.
Agree it's difficult to address coaching when KZ is interim. That said, he's working with one hand tied behind his back. Like you said, most coaching staffs have a set piece coach, a video coach, an assistant with real experience, a coach to help evaluate what the other team is doing (to help with in game adjusments). Literally, my kids college teams have more coaches than SKC does now. Not good.
I don't think MLS requires a pro badge for an assistant coach. I think an A is enough, and I'm not sure a B isn't enough