Two international coaches and two U.S. college coaches make up the short list of candidates as head coach of the New York/New Jersey MetroStars.
General manager Charlie Stillitano, who says more than a dozen coaches were contacted and interviewed during the search, has confirmed Carlos Alberto and Eddie Firmani as two of the four finalists.
“But we haven’t decided which way we’re going to go,” said Stillitano. “We may pick an international coach, or we may decide to go with an American coach.”
Most foreign coaches are too expensive for the MetroStars’ coaching budget. The three MLS-run teams have earmarked about $100,000 for their head coaches; the MetroStars’ figure is believed to be much higher, but nothing close to the $500,000 to $1 million most top European coaches make.
Because Stillitano is discussing assistant coach positions with the American coaches, he would not reveal which two are under consideration for the top job. Still in the hunt are Manny Schellscheidt, Bob Reasso, Bob Bradley and Len Roitman.
“It’s difficult to make a decision when you don’t know what your team is going to look like,” said Stillitano. “One of the first thing a coach asks is what kind of players you have, and I’ve got one player, Tab Ramos. Nothing against Tab, he’s a great player, but it’s not much for a coach to go on.”
Several other foreign coaches have been contacted by league or club: Portugal assistant national team coach and ex-NASL player Tony Simoes; ex-Toronto Blizzard and Malmoe coach Bob Houghton; Argentine Ossie Ardiles, recently fired by Mexican club Chivas; and Portuguese Toni, ousted this fall at Spanish club Sevilla.
by Soccer America senior editor Ridge Mahoney