Coach Osorio Leaving Red Bull?

By: Dave Martinez | December 1st, 2008

GolUSA reports Juan Carlos Osorio would leave the Red Bulls for the Green of Cali. Someone ask John Guppy if he is having a flashback.

To some, this is no surprise. It seems that this was the familiar cry of 2007 as well. But this time, it is coming from the horses mouth.

In a one on one interview with Osorio, GolUSA asked why he hasn’t already signed on for the 2009 season;

“I am not completely sure with continuing as Red Bulls Coach,” Osorio was quoted as saying. “I reiterate that the club wants myself and Juan Pablo Angel to continue, but there isn’t much interest in reinforcing the team and the truth is that I don’t want to risk putting myself in the position of suffering huge goal deficits (”goleadas”) in the championships and sub championships of CONCACAF. This is a firm and determining factor in my decision.”

Coach Osorio give’s us some deep insight into the Coaches mindframe and the inner workings of the Red Bull organization. Reading between the lines, one could gather that the Bulls have little to no interest in revamping the lineup much for the next season. Not only that, but in grouping Angel into his assertion, one can contrive from the comments that the Cherubic Assassin may feel the same way as Coach Osorio does.

One would also be remiss in ignoring Osorio’s bitter tone, which seemed to be aimed at the organizations complacency. He feels that 2008 was a good start. Conversely, does Red Bull feel they are only a tweak or two away from Gold? If that is the case, the disagreement couldn’t be more clear.

“With the little we have (talent wise), we surpassed expectations. There are technical limitations to our centrals; the lateral players don’t attack correctly and can’t put up a good cross. We had many difficulties with the length of the season due to the complicated system of the league, but in the final, we compensated with the right attitude and disposition from the players.”

Clear differences.

As this is the first I am reading about this, I am sure you are as well. The next issue promises to include his desire to play for Deportivo Cali of his home Colombia (where he is currently celebrating the holidays) and his eventual dreams of coaching the Colombian Nats. But I have all the information I care about right here.

Where do you side? Does Osorio have the point in this matter, or has Red Bull as an organization earned the benefit of the doubt in this particular instance? Could this be some gentle contract renegotiating by the Coach? Does Red Bull have no interest in improving upon its current product? Share your thoughts with us.