But this from the New York Times Soccer BLog
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January 5, 2013, 6:49 pmComment
Red Bulls’ Coaching Mystery Solved?
By JACK BELL
The news release from the Red Bulls landed Friday morning, but it was not that news release.
Instead of a long-awaited announcement of a coach to replace Hans Backe, the Major League Soccer team instead dropped another player from the Erik Soler regime when it cut loose (“terminated” was the term used) the Icelandic midfielder Victor Palsson, who had been playing on loan in the Netherlands.
No great surprise.
Then later on Friday came the second communique of the day, but it was not that communique. Instead the steady, tenacious and loyal midfielder Joel Lindpere of Estonia had been shipped to Chicago for some salary budget relief and a coveted international slot.
In the two months since their elimination from the playoffs by D.C. United, the Red Bulls have gone beyond a makeover in the front office and in the locker room. But as the rumor mill churns, what the club does not have — yet — is a new coach, with about one week before the league’s draft and with about two weeks to go before the team opens training camp as it prepares for the start of the 2013 season early in March.
By now the familiar names have been bruited, with that of the Scot Gary McAllister heading the list, though the club last week shot down reports that McAllister’s hiring was imminent. On Friday, MLSsoccer.com reported that McAllister had not been offered the job and perhaps would not be offered the job.
Gérard Houllier, right, Red Bulls' head of global soccer, is believed to favor hiring Gary McAllister, whom he worked with at Liverpool and Aston Villa in England, as the next coach of the Red Bulls of M.L.S.European Pressphoto Agency Gérard Houllier, right, Red Bulls’ head of global soccer, is believed to favor hiring Gary McAllister, whom he worked with at Liverpool and Aston Villa in England, as the next coach of the Red Bulls of M.L.S.
So while the Washington Post suggests that Toronto’s new major domo, Kevin Payne, is thinking of bringing back the New Zealander Ryan Nelsen from England to be the club’s player/coach, would it be outlandish to suggest that the Red Bulls make Thierry Henry, yes, Thierry Henry, their player/coach? After all, Henry, 35, is nearing the end of his playing days, likes to call the shots (though he won’t admit it), and knows the game and players internationally and, perhaps more important, in M.L.S.
Though Henry’s history with Red Bulls’ head of global soccer, Gérard Houllier, is a bit of a mystery, like Houllier he is from France, as is the club’s new general manager, Jérôme de Bontin. Has Henry been whispering in Houllier’s ear? Was the club’s emphatic refusal to allow Henry another loan stint with Arsenal part of the script?
The Red Bulls appear to be stuck in an internecine battle, with Houllier more partial to European-style management while the sporting director Andy Roxburgh (another Scot) and de Bontin (who has been around the block in American soccer) are at least open to considering American candidates like Eric Wynalda, Tony Meola and Claudio Reyna. Key word: consider.
But as Jesse Marsch found out painfully in Montreal, a youngish American coach often can have a difficult time dealing with international stars, and with Henry, Tim Cahill, Juninho and other expected arrivals, it is hard to see them singing “Kumbaya” with a wet-behind-the-ears American who has not coached at the highest level.
With Henry at the helm of the club on the field, management could hire a new assistant or perhaps retain Mike Petke to oversee training and the reserve team. Would it be a workable compromise? Hard to say. What is certain, however, is that Houllier’s apparent disdain for the American game is clouding his ability to see that soccer M.L.S.-style in the United States is a wee bit different. Not bad different. Just different.
So while the tug-of-war at the top continues among the Red Bulls’ hierarchy, the roster is being remade with heavy input from Ricardo Campos, who currently holds the title of technical director and who was largely shunted to the background when Soler ruled the roost and leaned heavily to middling players from northern Europe. Now, with the acquisition of players like Fabian Espindola, Jamison Olave and Josue Martinez and the departure of Jan Gunnar Solli, Teemu Tainio, Lindpere (certainly with more to come), the team has more of a Latin flavor. In all, the Red Bulls have moved out 14 players and brought in 7 so far. And if you’re going Latin, why would you hand the reins to a British coach?
Will that Latin seasoning continue?
Rafael Marquez has returned to Mexico, giving the Red Bulls back one of their three designated player slots With the addition of the international slot from Chicago via Lindpere, and oodles of space under the league’s salary budget, where do the Red Bulls look for the next acquisition?
Consider … On Friday Giuseppe Rossi, the New Jersey native who has been out injured all season, was sold by Spain’s Villarreal to Fiorentina in Italy, where Rossi plays internationally. He is not expected to be ready for competition until some time in March, leaving less than two months in the Serie A season. Would it make sense to seek a loan deal for Rossi, and let him regain his match fitness back in New Jersey? Worth investigating.
Consider … Luke Rodgers? Time for fans to give it up.
Consider … In Brazil, Ronaldinho, still just 32 and said to have lost 20 pounds, is keen to reclaim a spot on Brazil’s national team as it prepares to host the 2014 World Cup. What better stage for him to make his case than playing in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. And tell me he wouldn’t put more fans in the seats, what with Red Bull Arena a short walk over the Passaic River from the heavily Brazilian/Portuguese Ironbound section of Newark.
Consider … That Didier Drogba, a native of Ivory Coast who cut his professional teeth playing in France and was a star in England before going for gold with a move to China, is on the market. He may be 34, but the guy is an absolute beast in the penalty area, though he still might have his sights set on playing again in Europe.
Would Henry make for a workable compromise as Red Bulls coach?
Follow Jack Bell on Twitter.
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