The Osorio Move

Buenos dias everybody. It is early Tuesday morning and fans in Chicago and New Jersey/New York are waking up to the reality that Juan Carlos Osorio is leaving the Fire to coach the Red Bulls.

They are also waking up to second and third hand accounts of what led to Osorio's departure. Some reports allege that Osorio's departure had to do with his unhappiness with the Fire organization. That is a stretch to say the least. Osorio's unsettled status had to do with family issues that may or may not ever be made public, issues he is hoping to address with the move.

Did Osorio grow frustrated with the Fire's handling and initial denial of the Red Bulls request to speak with him? Yes. Did Chicago turn down a request by Osorio to sign a player late last season? Yes, but those issues are not why Osorio left. Not even close.

I gave my take on Osorio's situation in today's Herald News column. In short, his decision to leave Chicago wasn't about unhappiness with the team or about money. It was about personal issues and an opportunity to return to his adopted home to address some of those issues.

When it came to coaching the Chicago Fire, Osorio was a happy man. Having spoken to him on the day of the Red Bulls' final game (a playoff loss to New England), I found Osorio to be enjoying his work, but not enjoying much else. He didn't sound like a man who had just orchestrated the shock upset of D.C. United. He sounded a bit depressed. At that point, Osorio was already pondering whether he would have to make a decision that would take him away from Chicago.

The Red Bulls job wasn't even a thought for Osorio, even after Bruce Arena was fired. When asked what he thought of his chances at the time, Osorio refused to believe he would be seriously considered as a candidate. Once it became clear that the Red Bulls were interested, Osorio couldn't help but consider the possibilities. Even after it became clear that he was a candidate for the Red Bulls job, Osorio wrestled with the idea of leaving Chicago. He was keenly aware that he might be leaving behind a great situation for an uncertain one.

That is where those trying to portray Osorio has a villain are off base. If his personal life was a settled situation then Osorio would have stayed with the Fire until either he was let go or he had his name placed in the Ring of Fire. He never saw the Chicago job as just some stepping stone and money alone was never going to dictate his decision to leave. It was a job he didn't want to leave, but a job he had to leave.

Comments

[Dannyc58]

Thanks for all the behind the scenes info as always, Ives.

Any guess as to what the compensation package will be (in specifics)?

[Tim]

Welcome Juan Carlos!

[BK (the artist formerly known as Brad)]

I see the NYRB as more of a villain than Osorio.

As a complete outsider and MLS fan (but not for a particular team), I have to side with the Chicago fans on this. I find it ridiculous that NYRB can't find another coach and instead feel the need to recruit Osorio AND give up money/draft picks. There are plenty of US coaches, there are plenty of European coaches. It seems odd that NY has taken Chicago's coach twice.

From my point of view, it just seems like laziness. Instead of conducting an exhaustive search for a truly great coach, they go with the flavor of the month, who just so happens to be JCO. He came in when the Fire got healthy, picked up Blanco and Conde. And magic, he starts winning.

I have no affiliation to either team, but as an outsider, this just seems like another retarded NYRB move. Get some stability, stop throwing away money (allocations and Reyna) and get some people in the front office who can scout (whether it be coaches OR players).

[Lawrence]

We'll see what happens with him and Reyna, and if the fans love/hate him for it.

Question: Does he have the same requirement as Arena did, win a championship or your done?

[Ben S]

BK,

Stop reposting what you've already stated!!! we get your point, you don't have to state it more than once!

[furia yanqui]

Behind the scenes my arse. This all sounds like spin to me. I hope Osorio rewards you Ives with all the scoops that your fealty has earned. Scoops such as, "Reyna is slow, but we're going to continue to play him. Because that worked out so well with Wanchope at the Fire."

[furia yanqui]

if this is about his sick mother in colombia, why doesn't he go to colombia instead of NY? it doesn't add up.

[Fenris]

I seem to remember reading that Osorio's wife was pretty unhappy in Chicago (though I can't provide an exact source, so take that as you will). If he's basically moving in order to save his marriage then kudos to him for being a man and making an adult decision (of course, if this is the case, then his wife kinda sucks - Chicago might not be as glittery as NYC, but it's not that bad).

[Felix]

No Ives you have it dead wrong. Don't you know that Osorio leaving the Fire to manage the Red Bulls speaks VOLUMES about his personal integrity and honor. Osorio is a despicable "human being" (if you can call him that) for leaving MY Chicago Fire for New York to make "his family happy" (sarcastic tone). How dare he take his family's happiness into consideration over the success and stability of my favorite soccer team.

This rant has been brought to you by irrational Chicago Fire fan.

[daniel sullivan]

Ives, are you pleased with the signing? I take it that you are. Based on Osorio's track record in MLS how certain are you that RBNY are better off in Osorio's hands than Arena's?

[Jon G]

Thanks as always Ives.

[Jasen]

Ives, any idea what NYRB will be giving up specifically? any chance that we might finally rid ourselves of Mike Magoo?

[BK (the artist formerly known as Brad)]

Ben S, relax. I put it as the last comment on the Osorio post, so I thought I'd repost it here since it pertains and that post is pretty much dead.

You need to chill out.

[Whitescandal]

Not sure if getting Osorio is the right move for NYRB, but any time you can make a rival weaker it's a good move.

But I say this before I see how strong the compensation package is. A draft pick is definitely worth it. A proven player...not so sure.

[nathan3e]

BK –

Do people really still use the word retarded as a pejorative? Regardless, you are entirely correct when you point out that there are plenty of US and European coaches. What you did not add is that virtually all of the best coaches are employed. The unaffiliated “truly great” coaches are all holding out for ideal situations. Anyone out there think RBNY is currently an ideal situation? The Red Bulls could likely have hired Hector Cuper or someone like him if they had wanted, but what is the point of that? Coaches with no experience in MLS have experienced near universal failure. RBNY wanted Osorio. He wanted to come to New York. Chicago agreed to let him leave, for a price. How is this outrageous?

[BK (the artist formerly known as Brad)]

nathan3e, who uses the word pejorative anymore, that's so last year. And shame on me for my pejoratives being totally old school.

I agree that there aren't a lot of unemployed great coaches, but you have to admit that there are probably some coaches on par with Osorio. And if there are, you're giving up draft picks and cash when you could have found someone comparable. That's all I'm saying. I really couldn't care less who NY's coach is and Osorio seems as good as any. I just think NYRB's management decisions are questionable at times, but I suppose they're about 1000 times better than Lalas's.

[Ben S]

BK,

I'm not freaking out, it just annoyed me so I adressed it. Overall I like the choic for RBNY but think its unfortuante that Chicago has to suffer. It's professional sports, this stuff happens.

[Nicholas]

I'm not happy with this.

The Galaxy are are bending the rules to keep their players, hiring a known European coach, and making the most out of their crap team.

Like or not, NY needs to be the ying to their yang. Or at least the Luke to their Vader.

Not saying that we need to get big name players and miss the playoffs like LA, but we need to be making a bigger splash with our moves.

What should be happening
• Reyna needs to retire/be bought out
• Angel re-signed
• Bringing a better, european coach that is a recognizable name that possible DP players might want to play for
• Use Reyna's DP slot on another impact player that can play DMF or CB
• If MLS grants another DP position in the offseasn, use it on a recognizable face that people would support and get behind, no matter the cost.

Red Bull need to start acting like they are the sole soccer team in the biggest city in our country, not being timid and reserved.

[Ed Ho]

This is a very interesting story. Its almost like we sports fans don't expect professional athletes r coaches to have a preference for where they live. I have considered leaving my current employer so I don't have to move.

In baseball, you see players sign all the time for less money to play in a city they like. I'd attribute that to the more fluid player movement based on the power of the MLB union.

[BK (the artist formerly known as Brad)]

My bad on that one.

[Matt D.]

any idea about the player sigining that Chicago denied Osorio at the end of last season? Was it anyone in particular?

[Matt D.]

Also, does Chicago have any rights to the results of the scouting Osorio did on their dime and their time? I know my company owns any brilliant ideas I come up with during the dispatch of my duties. Are there any similar stipulations in coaching contracts? Given that the Fire now has no manager to do his own scouting, I wouldn't mind at least having a copy of his notes.

[Ben S]

I wouldn't be supprised if Chicago retains rights to all work done on his computer and any memo's he wrote prior to leaving. That being said, unlike your company i doubt there is any thing close to copy-right on any good ideas he has.

[kebzach]

Thanks for the great PR spin piece. Too bad I don't beleive a darn thing that you just typed.

[kpugs]

Brad, the MetroStars/Red Bulls didn't roll up to Chicago in a tinted out black van and stuff these guys in the back seat and peel out back to New York.

I agree with your second post, responding to someone else. But they are in vast contrast.

I'll take it one step further, it's not just a professional sport, it's soccer. Am I the only one that follows it outside this country? You guys would have a cow if you saw the managerial switches that happen constantly outside the MLS, and how they happen, and all the underhanded things that go into it. And there was NONE of that here, none whatsoever.