Speculation hovers silently over Coach Juan Carlos Osorio and the Red Bulls amidst the worst start in franchise history. Coaching positions at the club are historically volatile. In its 14-year history the club has had 11 coaches. This doesn’t bode well for Osorio. After a 4-0 defeat to the New England Revolution, the Red Bulls are now 2-9-3 in MLS and 3-11-3 in all competitions.
So far, however, Osorio has received the public support of the only people who matter: his players and managing director Erik Stover, who is responsible for coaching changes. Three of the team leaders (Juan Pablo Angel, Kevin Goldthwaite and Seth Stammler) voiced their support of Osorio after Wednesday’s practice, despite suggestions from fans and observers that the coach has lost the confidence of his players.
“I don’t think there’s been any change in how guys look at Juan Carlos,” Goldthwaite said. “He’s always been a real meticulous guy with a lot of tinkering. We always took that with a grain of salt and it hasn’t changed in the last two months. “You got to assume that in any organization, in any sport, there’s going to be speculation when you go on a run like we have. Juan Carlos does a good job to put that aside and prepare us for the next game.”