The Union is apparently in the last round of decision making regarding who will lead the club onto the pitch at Seaport Drive. Nick Sakiewicz indicated on last week on Monday’s Glenn Davis Show and Wednesday’s Fox Soccer Report that the process was only a couple of weeks from being over. This is an important step because it means that the incoming gaffer/manager/coach will have a long time to search for his style of player leading up to the 2010 season.
Like many Philadelphia fans, I am dreaming big. Here’s a quick overview of some reasonable and unreasonable choices.
1. Are you wondering what former Chicago Fire GM Peter Wilt’s tweet about Nick picking a good coach has to do with anything? The first thought is that if Wilt’s happy, it might be Piotr Nowak, an original member of the Fire, a MLS Cup winning coach with DC United, and current United States Assistant Coach. Nowak’s no-nonsense approach to handling Freddy Adu when the media was ready to crown him Jesus or Pele, showed that he has the smarts and steel necessary to be a manager at this level or higher. He played internationally for Poland, and first played professionally at age 15.
2. Recent poor results doomed It to lose his job as Mexico’s top man, but with manager experience with the English and Mexican National teams, and managing clubs like Roma, Benfica, Sampdoria, Lazio, and Manchester City, Sven Goran Eriksson would be a monumental signing for the team and the league. Does he have any gas left in the tank? This move is somewhat risky because of declining results, but 30 years as a head coach with a 66% winning percentage is impressive.
3. Jurgen Klinsmann is out of work and presumably headed back to the States. He enjoys the Left Coast, so I don’t know how realistic it is to even throw a name like this out there. However, his experience is tough to beat. 108 caps (national team appearances) for his native Germany, as well as playing for clubs like Inter Milan, Tottenham, and Bayern Munich, would not only give us a coach with a 56% winning percentage in stays with Bayern and the German NT, but a coach whom players look up to for his skill on the pitch. Maybe we could sell him on a nice Ocean City or Cape May home.
4. The Special One, in Philadelphia? Fantastic! Seriously, there is a million to one shot of this happening, but Jose Mourinho did say earlier this year that he would like manage in MLS some day (you know, like 20 years from now). Like him or hate him, he is a champion and would be the talk of the town and a head coach who doesn’t bury pressers in home spun wisdom or dilute them with bland responses.
5. Finally, we will hit you with an improbable switcheroo. Before Bob Bradley took over the US National Team, he was a successful MLS coach, even upsetting DC with his 1998 Chicago Fire expansion team. Chicago Fire, there’s that name, and that tweet again, but would Bob leave the US sidelines before the 2010 World Cup? The team is hitting all the right notes so far and it would seem unfair to the entire country. Unless, Jurgen is coming to take the US job (as rumored in 2006/07). The bonus with Bob is that he is a relatively local guy and knows the league and national team pool very well.
There are also numerous talented coaches in the college and professional ranks. John Harkes, Richie Williams, and others who were in the first group of MLS players could form a nice story for the league. Colin Clarke who managed in MLS and has led USL side Puerto Rico Islanders to unexpected Champions League success should be under consideration. College coaches like Sasho Cirovski or Jay Vidovich would also be strong choices.
This is a big decision for a brand new club and an expectant fan base.
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