Who is next for the Fire?

With Juan Carlos Osorio on his way to the Red Bulls, the Chicago Fire is once again in need of a head coach. Fire fans are up in arms about Osorio's departure but the focus should be on who will be chosen to continue the work Osorio began.

With the MLS Draft five weeks away, and European transfer window three weeks away, Chicago needs to hire a head coach ASAP. Who will president John Guppy turn to? Put your money on Guppy hiring an MLS coach, be it an assistant or head coach.

Why? Hiring a coach without MLS and U.S. Soccer ties this close to the draft would be a bit disastrous, and the track record of coaches with no prior playing or coaching experience in the league is well documented.

With that said, here are the top coaches Guppy should be looking to, and a few he may consider, as he begins his search:

Paul Mariner- The New England assistant coach is well respected around the league for his ability to judge college talent. He is a big personality who could fit in well in a city like Chicago and he certainly has the backbone to deal with a player like Cuauhtemoc Blanco.

Richie Williams- The Red Bulls assistant did a great job as interim head coach for the Red Bulls during the summer of 2006 and has the attributes to be a good head coach. A former all-star and veteran of the league, Williams is a better tactician than he is given credit for. He is also a fiery type who isn't afraid to crack the whip, but he is also capable of building good relationships with his players.

Denis Hamlett- The long-time Fire assistant has earned a look after serving the club for so long, and he played a key role in helping Osorio re-adjust to MLS. He has good relationships with Blanco and Wilman Conde and deserves a serious look.

Peter Nowak- Sorry Fire fans but Nowak won't be returning to Chicago. He is signed on as the U.S. Under-23 national team coach for 2008.

Frank Klopas- The Chicago legend has remained in the city and has the respect of the soccer community in the Windy City. He interviewed for the position when Osorio was hired and he may throw his hat in the ring again. He played in MLS and has knowledge of American soccer. His lack of coaching experience (his only head coaching job was with the MISL Chicago Storm) may be a strike against him.

Lubos Kubik- Another star from the 1998 MLS Cup championship squad, Kubik's coaching career hasn't gone quite as well as his playing career. He was last emplyed at English club Torquay but lasted half a season before resigning.

Hristo Stoitchkov- Stoitchkov has some good experience as a coach, having guided Bulgaria for four seasons before taking a job with Spanish club Celta Vigo. His time in Spain didn't go as well and he left Celta two months into the season. I'm not sure of Blanco and Stoitchkov could co-exist. They might have to install a UFC cage at Toyota Park for these two.

Chris Armas- The Chicago Fire legend just retired and was looking to take on a new role with the club. Could he be the man to lead it? It seems like a longshot. An assistant coaching role would probably suit him better to start his coaching career.

What do you think of these candidates? Who would you hire if you were Guppy? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[Jeff]

Didn't think of it before, but I would love to see Stoichkov in that role. It would either be a huge success, or a huge disaster. No middle ground there. It would be exciting and interesting, which MLS could always use.

[EmeraldCityGooner]

Ives - why was Steve Nichol on your shortlist before and then didn't make this list? Did something develop?

[EssEff]

It's gotta be Hamlett. To be or not to be? If he doesn't get it, it'll be more "what ho a dagger?"

[Haig]

"He is a big personality who could fit in well in a city like Chicago and he certainly has the backbone to deal with a player like Cuauhtemoc Blanco."

He was also very famous and well respected in his day-- that's got to be a help in dealing with a guy like Blanco.

[Stan from El Barrio]

Unless folks think he's a Sarachan clone, I'd say give the job to Hamlett for two years with an option for a third.

[chicago millonario]

No offense, but this is the weakest list of candidates I can think of. They'd be better off with Arena.

[Ives]

When was Nicol on my short list for the Fire job?

[Martek]

How about Preki? If he was interested in the NYRB job, why wouldn't he want a better team with the Fire?

[Amit]

Eric Wynalda, HAHA

[Furia Yanqui]

Stoichkov won't be back in MLS, not after his assault on that GWU player led to a big legal settlement.

[EmeraldCityGooner]

Ives - I thought I saw him on the original Osorio to NYRB post. You might've said Steve Nichols' assitant Paul Mariner. Whereas I thought you wrote Steve Nichols AND Paul Mariner.

To Martek - I don't see Chivas letting Preki go that easily. He's clearly making a world of difference right now for Chivas so I think he'll stay put unless Chivas can somehow bring in Klinsman or something insane like that...

[Bravo]

Luis Arroyave's blog on the Chicago tribune says that Armas will be helping guppy with the search. I would assume that this means he will not want to apply for the position then.

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/soccer_redcard/

[undrafted]

Just like Dick Cheney leading the search for Bush's VP choice?

But I agree that Armas would probably want an assistant's job at first.

[Fuego Fanatico]

I'd kick Paul Mariner's tires but the rest of that list sucks aSS. I'd rather just give the team to Blanco - and he doesn't even speak english.

[Mark]

Armas may want a front office job. Coaches have a short shelf life in this league, so seeing a life long Fire guy get fired as coach would be awkward.

What's Dave Dir doing these days?

[Metrosct]

Hamlett deserves the shot and would be a good choice particularly if respected by the current players (specifically Blanco). I think Armas as his assistant would be another good move.

[Ben]

"Hire a coach from MLS or hire anyone with ties to the Fire, just hire someone in a hurry!"

Nothing like planning for the short term to really get your organization ahead.

[griffin1108]

Not Stoichkov, what a train wreck. I think it would come down to Williams, Mariner or Klopas. The nod should go to Mariner if he's truly interested. As much as you can accuse Nicol and Mariner of "boreball" with the Revolution's in game tactics, Nicol and Mariner do the best job in MLS of identifying college talent who can produce in MLS.

[ag nigrin]

Preki will be tghe man!

[ag nigrin]

Last post was supposed to read: Preki will be the man!
Too fast on the draw!

[charlie N.]

I think you were right the first time--- Preki will be tghe man!.

[Tricky One]

Tom Soehn. Chicago guy, strong ties to the Fire & community.

[papa bear]

why do fans have to focus on the coaching search? Stop deflecting for that group of scavengers you call a front office.
That list sucks. Why would Hamlett be hired when he was already given a shot and passed over? If he is that is a huge step back. I know I speak for many when I say I want NOTHING to do with anyone from the Sarachan 'let's throw 3 d-mids in there' regime.
The first thing to focus on is firing Guppy and THEN getting a coach.
I'd like to see Stoitchkov but only long enough for him to shatter Osorio and Angel's shins into tiny pieces as payback. Then he can retire to his spot in the Ring of Fire.

[papa bear]

I should clarify that I don't think you put no thought into the list, I think those are probably the realistic 'quickie' options and they suck.

[sidenetting]

his is terrible. osorio only did 1 thing wrong - wanchope vs NE - ad did most everything else right. i hope conde doesn't follow. that would truly be a disaster