ANALYSIS AND OPTIONS: THE COACHING CAROUSEL, WHOS NEXT!

By: Dave Martinez | November 15th, 2007

Bruce Arena isnt the only “one and done” coach in our stable. We have had plenty. Just another notch in the belt of woe I suppose.

I mean, look at this list:

Eddie Firmani (1996)
Carlos Queiroz (1996)
Carlos Alberto Parreira (1997)
Alfonso Mondelo (1998)
Bora Milutinović (1998–1999)
Octavio Zambrano (2000–2002)
Bob Bradley (2003–2005)
Mo Johnston (2005–2006)
Richie Williams (2006; interim)
Bruce Arena (2006–2007)

Impressive or Depressing? Well, its a little bit of both. But what do we learn from this amazing list of highs and lows? Simple. Whether its an international coach with a great coaching pedigree, or a homegrown legend, RedBullMetroStars have turned every rock upside down looking for answers, and have consistently come up empty handed.

WHAT IS THE ANSWER? GREAT QUESTION!

Some teams are lucky – the answer stares them in the face. The Yankees have lost Torre, and believe that his relaxed, calm demeanor had taken the bite out of his teams fight. What did they do? Find the polar opposite in Girardi – a meticulous control freak.

The Islanders had a ton of coaching woes, up and down the line, until they decided to let a proven black balled winner a shot to turn their franchise around. They needed someone to hoist the reigns of a young team and create chemistry and excitement in their play. They found the guy with the resume – Enter Ted Nolan.

But when you look at our team, what is it that we need? Bruce was a calm, sit on the bench, eat seeds and spit out the shells kinda coach. Does that mean we need the firey opposite? Not really. The guys seemed motivated 90% of the time. So maybe its his tactics.

But Arenas coaching was a mixed bag as well – either we were allowing our guys to let go and just play (ala LA Galaxy home game) or telling them to play defense and look for opportunistic goals (pick any one of our 414192421 ties this year as an example). So as a tactician even, who would be Arenas opposite?

And looking at our team – what a mixed bag if there ever was one! We have young guns, and old dogs, and very few players at the “peak” of their soccer careers.

Even further, would our next coach also be a GM? Should we look towards bringing in seperate entities, and letting that two headed beast control the decisions on the field? Will Red Bull allow such freedom, as such freedom only bought them mediocrity in the past?

The person who can handle this type of situation would need to have a part time position as a miracle worker.

So the question then would be . . . what would YOU want in your coach, and who would YOU feel has the capacity to right this ship?

In the new world of MLS, there is no dream too big. So shoot me some names.

PERSONALLY . . .

I wouldn’t necessarily mind whether the coach is international or a domestic product.

And I would resist that itching feeling to “out do” Alexei Lalas bringing sexy back to LA.

I just want a proper fit.

Here are a couple of names. Off the top of my head.

JOHN HARKES

From my interview last month with Jozy, when asked whom has been most influential on the coaching staff towards his growth, he credited John Harkes and mentioned NO ONE ELSE. Not Arena. Not Williams. Harkes. Closely followed by Angel and Reyna.

Our young team needs a developmental leader, and a person intimate with the history of our league and its financial budgetary constraints. Harkes has his ear to the street so far as recruiting and youth experience, and he already knows THIS team.

People doubted Preki. Look at what he did. Tom Soehn was doubted – and DC once again hoisted the supporters shield.

Lets face it. Harkes would give us at the very least a sense of continuity in our team management, enhanced only by the respect the current team has for him.

RAY HUDSON

For my long time readers, you know I have a giant man crush on Hudson. Forget the fact that he was once a DC SCUMBAG. (he did run them into a HORRIBLE record. thats a check in my book!)

He is the biggest proponent to US Soccer that was NOT in the 90’s MNT’s.

He is a fiery coach who wears his heart on his sleeve.

Need an example? Just ask Wikipedia . . . .

Hudson quickly became known for his fiery personality. One memorable incident occurred after a Miami home win against the Tampa Bay Mutiny. The Fusion scored five goals, an offensive outburst for soccer, but Hudson was apparently unsatisfied. He stormed into the media tent and up to the podium. He said, “I’ve got nothing to say. Any questions? ANY QUESTIONS? No? OK!” and stormed right back out. Interviews with players after the game indicated that Hudson was angered by a perceived lack of effort, even with the Fusion’s dominant win.

Love it.

He led the Fusion to the best regular season record for 2001. Went to the Semifinals.

Went on to DC. Ran them into the ground. yay.

He played for Newscastle and in Germany.

He is a reporter, and announcer on several international club and national games.

Bottom line – Ray Hudson has the scope necessary to excel in this job. The only negative may be recruiting. But then again, none of us know what connections he has made throughout his career.

LA VOLPE

Yes, La Volpe. Here is the deal. I follow La Previa very closely. And after a 4-0 shalacking at the hands of Boca Juniors, La Volpe is looking for a way out. From the sounds of it, he hates what Argentine soccer has become, the over blown reactions to everything on the pitch, and the ridiculous pessimistic attitude he confronts on a daily basis there.

And, of course, the fans are sick of losing.

La Volpe did a good job with the Mexican MNT’s. Losing your job after losing to the Argentine powerhouse seems a bit much. But it all falls on La Volpe.

He is fairly familiar with the region, and is looking for a comfortable setting to put his plans into motion and just play. I am not particularly a huge fan, but hey, he does have a bit of a pedigree.

DIEGO SIMEONE

Here is another one looking for a new and exciting challenge away from his home confines. And why not MLS? He is still trying to get his teeth into the coaching game, and may I say, he has been doing an excellent job.

How good? His first season with Estudiantes, after a brief coaching period in the tumultuous Racing Club, he achieved League Title with a big win over Boca Juniors. Hey, are you telling me he wont be able to topple New England? Please . . . .

And btw . . . that Argentine influx? What do you think Simeone would do? We would be the most beautiful team on the pitch, with my biclestes running wild along side my USMNT boys . . . ah, to dream a little dream . . .

PAUL MARINER

Come now. Does Mariner NEED an introduction? An English legend with a vast coaching pedigree, and coaching under what is quickly becoming the flagship franchise in our league (damned revolosers).

I think the name says it all. You cant go wrong with this guy. At least, I think so.

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Simeone would be my dream pick, with Paul Mariner trailing a close second.

And by my short list, you can tell that i am being more realistic than some. Dreaming is not so far away in MLS as it used to be, but I am not of the school of people that stress the NEED for an international superstar coach (Capello, Klinsman etc) as much as looking for the right fit.

As always, tell me what you think, and give me some more ideas! This is the mian issue of concern for us this offseason. We need a captain to steer this ship right. Again. Can we make a fitting pick this time? I hope so.