Coaches and players, players and coaches.
Now that the MLS nicknames and logos have been unveiled, soccer fans are anxiously awaiting news of far more important names: Those who will play MLS soccer, and those who will coach the teams.
In both cases, some major names are in the mix. Like Jackie Charlton and Gheorghe Hagi.
Brian O’Donovan, operations manager of Foxboro Stadium who is working as the de facto general manager for the New England Revolution, will travel to Portugal this month to see that nation play Ireland in a crucial European Championship match and meet Charlton, the Irish national team coach.
If Ireland fails to quality for Euro ’96, O’Donovan is expected to make Charlton an offer to become head coach of the Revolution. Charlton, who played on England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team, has coached Ireland since 1986.
Ex-Cosmos and Tampa Bay Rowdies coach Eddie Firmani is a clear favorite to accept the New York/New Jersey head coaching job, although ex-Cosmos defender Carlos Alberto is still being considered. Recently appointed Olympic coach Bruce Arena is only a formal announcement away from leaving Virginia to coach D.C. United.
The Columbus team, once close to an agreement with ex-U.S. international Brian Quinn, is in deep discussions with Arena’s Olympic predecessor, Timo Liekoski, and has also interviewed U.S. staff coach Roy Rees. Quinn has since moved on to talks with the Colorado Rapids.
An announcement of former Ft. Lauderdale Striker Thomas Rongen as head coach of the Tampa Bay Mutiny has been pending for several weeks, but the two sides have not yet completed negotiations.
MLS deputy commissioner Sunil Gulati planned to scout players at the ACC Tournament, then leave for Europe Nov. 11 for discussions regarding foreign players, at least a few of which rate special mention.
The most prominent name is that of Hagi, Barcelona’s Romanian star who has expressed interest in playing in MLS. Johan Cruyff has embarked on a youth movement, leaving Hagi with little future at Barcelona. He reportedly turned down a deal that would have sent him to an English League club.
MLS sources also confirmed German stars Andreas Brehme and Rudi Voeller are considering MLS deals.
Gulati had been pursuing a Colombian triumvirate of Rene Higuita, Carlos Valderrama and Leonel Alvarez. Valderamma is very close to signing, but Higuita’s asking price is far beyond what MLS is willing to pay.
by Soccer America senior editor Ridge Mahoney