Red Bulls to hire Osorio

(FIRST ON SBI)

The Red Bulls are set to name former Chicago Fire head coach Juan Carlos Osorio as the team’s new head coach, according to sources close to the deal. The decision came after the Red Bulls and Fire reached an agreement late last week on compensation for Osorio, who joined Chicago as head coach in July and helped lead the Fire to the Eastern Conference final. He had two years remaining on his contract with the Fire.

Osorio and the Red Bulls are putting the finishing touches on Osorio's contract, but the sides are expected to be reach an agreement this week. Ron Waxman, Osorio's New York-based agent, would not comment on the situation.

Sources would not comment on the compensation package the Red Bulls are giving Chicago for releasing Osorio from the remaining two years of his contract but it appears that no Red Bulls players will be involved in the package.

The Chicago Fire just issued a press release on Monday afternoon stating that Osorio has resigned and that they will be receiving compensation from the Red Bulls in the form of draft picks, allocation money and cash.

The deal ended a three-week long process that saw the Fire originally reject the Red Bulls request to speak to Osorio. Chicago eventually gave in to Osorio's wishes to be allowed to interview and once Osorio flew to New Jersey and met with Red Bulls president Marc deGrandpre a week ago, the stage was set for Osorio to join the Red Bulls.

Osorio spent weeks wrestling with the decision of whether to actually put himself into the mix for the Red Bulls job. He was happy with the Chicago Fire but eventually made the decision to meet with the Red Bulls after weighing several factors, including family issues.

He wasn't actively pursuing the position but when the Red Bulls expressed interest in his services, Osorio found it difficult to turn down the chance to coach in the market he called home for two decades. Osorio wouldn't have said so during his time with the Fire but two jobs he has long coveted throughout his coaching career are the New York MLS job and the Colombian national team job. They have been, in essence, his dream jobs. Not so much for their prestige, but because of what they meant to him personally.

Osorio leaves Chicago after guiding the Fire to an improbable playoff run. He took over a last-place team with a 4-7-4 record and helped it post a 5-2-6 mark after the all-star break. He then helped Chicago orchestrate a first-round series victory against D.C. United, which entered the playoffs with the best record in MLS.

Osorio replaces Bruce Arena, who was fired after posting an 18-16-11 record as head coach for a season and a half. The Red Bulls suffered first-round playoff exits in both seasons under Arena.

According to sources, the Red Bulls kept their coaching search limited to coaches with experience coaching in the United States. U.S. national team assistant coach Peter Nowak and Chivas USA head coach Preki were also candidates for the position.

The Red Bulls hiring of Osorio is the second time the club has hired a Chicago Fire head coach. The MetroStars hired then-Fire coach Bob Bradley after the 2002 season to replace Zambrano. The MetroStars gave Chicago a first-round draft pick and the rights to forward Rodrigo Faria as compensation.

The compensation for Osorio is expected to be sizeable, though neither team is expected to reveal the full details of the compensation package. Osorio had two years remaining on his Chicago contract so the compensation will be considerably more than the third-round pick San Jose gave Los Angeles for Frank Yallop, who was on his way out of Los Angeles anyway.

Osorio returns to the same club he helped guide to an Eastern Conference final in 2000 as an assistant coach when the team was known as the MetroStars. He served as Octavio Zambrano’s lead assistant in 2000 (the most successful season in club history) and half of the 2001 season before joining the coaching staff at English club Manchester City.

Osorio spent five seasons with Manchester City, first as a conditioning coach before being promoted to full assistant coach, before leaving to become head coach of Colombian club Millonarios. He guided Millonarios to a fourth-place finish before accepting the Chicago Fire coaching position during the summer.

So who will coach Chicago now? Very good question. Someone it won't be is Peter Nowak, who is locked in with the U.S. Under-23/Olympic team for the next year. Assistant coach Denis Hamlett is deserving of an opportunity, as are several other MLS assistants such as Richie Williams, Paul Mariner and John Spencer.

What do you think of this news? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[VictorM]

Overall, O have good impressions of him, but sticking with Paulo Wanchope against New England is to me one of the dumbest moves ever by a coach. Strikes me a little too much like the Bruce Arena syndrome (sticking with the guys you know and like way past their expiration date).

But, I'm still optimist this will turn out OK. I sure hope so.

[BK (the artist formerly known as Brad)]

So what's the compensation?

[Adam Spangler]

Osorio must be getting a HUGE raise if this happens, right Ives? I can't think of another reason to take this job unless they have promised to spend LA Galaxy money on players and marketing.

[centrejack]

Chicago was in love with Osorio - I wonder what the Red Bulls had to give them in exchange?

[Mr. Goodbar]

Bastards!

I swear, if we get stuck with Renya as part of the deal....

[HerthaBerwyn]

NY is the Veruca Salt of MLS. If this goes through, and section 8 isnt happy with the compensation, watch for a VERY eventful first half hour at the superdraft.

[Matt C]

Thank you for finally filling us in on what is really going on. I was getting tired of the speculation and the crappy stories circulating about this deal.

[rpks]

I hate you Osorio!!! When I see him at Toyota Park, I am going to do something. I F-ing hate you. He would have been a hero now he is going to be another failure a the giant mess that is New York. You New York fans have no proof to back you up. It took a year and a half to start construction.

[Ed Ho]

I think this is a good move for NY. Osorio clearly wants to continu eto prove his skills and fatten his resume. I hope he succeeds at NY, but if he does, don't expect him to be around for long. I think he'd look for a move to Mexico, Brazil, or Argentina as a next step.

[Jasen]

Goodbar, Osorio and Reyna have a good relationship...I'd be surprised if this didn't all but ensure that Reyna will stay with RBNY next year.

[Gill]

Hey Hertha...
Chicago agreed to sell him so who are the mighty Sec. 8 going to boo?
RBNY and the Fire were not going to get friendly receptions in B-More anyways.

[Dannyc58]

I'll have a better feeling when I hear what compensation is...

[bill]

I am actually suprised. 5-2-6 record isn't something to dump Arena (18-16-11) for..is it? (I guess I still want more info on details to Bruce's departure)

I think Conde and Blanco should get as much of the credit for chicago's success as Osorio. And, yes keeping Wanchope out there on stilts was point-less as well as making a 89th min sub - what's his name 'super sub' - was a bit pointless. So, Osorio will give us what? Does he know more 'cheap' columbians? (let's hope!)

My main hope is that this means Zambrano comes back as an assistant.

[Tony]

Besides Red Bull being in new york(really NJ) i don't see the appeal in the job. Worse team, worse track record, Worse facility. Because we know Osorio will be gone before red bull park is finished.

[jimbo]

why would anybody want to work for RB? they've made a mess of their first two years - trial and error!

[HerthaBerwyn]

GIL:
I smell league collusion. We dont have the details yet so its all premature but I doubt the Fire 'agreed' without Garbers active involvement. Therefore, the league and the Red Bull draft table would be legitimate targets. Im sure Baltimore has a (rotten) vegetable market.

[chicago millonario]

Section 8's idea of booing is to endlessly repeat one of their chants they rip-off from Europe or South America.

Good luck to Osorio and the RB who deserve a championship.

[KingSnake]

Fire Steve Guppy.

[Felix]

Great... New York stole another coach from us, I hope he does as well for you as BB did. If Columbus is where promising youth talent go to die, I think New York is where good coaches go to die.

[Ives]

Guys, MLS had NOTHING to do with making this deal happen. If anything the opposite was closer to happening.

[Nath]

Why can't NY find their own coach. Chicago did their research anf hired him. This is so sad.

I love RBNY and I love CHI.

NY has to stop recycling from MLS. I'm sure they can do better than that. They will fire him after a season if he doesn't win something. Pathetic!

[Tim]

Second, BK; what's the comp?

[Jon G]

If we're giving away a draft pick and the rights to Chris Leitch, I'm all for it. But if we're giving the Fire Parke and Richards, then HELL NO!

[kpugs]

Felix, instead of blaming the MetroBulls for stealing, maybe you should be asking why both coaches seemed more than happy to leave Chicago. There are two sides to every story.

[kpugs]

I think this is a good hire. I like Osorio. I still think Arena should have gotten at least one more season as manager though.