Originally Posted by
Kayaker
I've been looking at the list of coaches in MLS since 2007. I think we need to start setting realistic expectations about what can work in MLS and how long it will take. I'm glad we gave Nelson as long as he had, and I'm still neutral as to getting rid of him was the right thing to do or not. I've got a slightly good feeling about Vanney as his tactics seem to be better (and should improve with experience).
First off, there are only 3 big league MLS coaches/managers: Arean, Schmid, and Bradley. I can't see the first two leaving their positions and the latter will try to stay in Europe.
Here's what I've gathered about MLS coaches since 2007. I looked at any coach in place for the 07 season and any non-interim hire.
- total coaches: 57
- team with the most? Don't guess, it's us: 7 (remember non-interim), next is Chivas with 6.
- only teams with 1? Houston (until today of course) and Seattle (only around since 09)
- coaches hired with no head coaching experience at a professional level - 11 (two of those are different - Hyndman and Porter were established college coaches, but still had no professional experience when hired)
- coaches hired with assistant coaching experience - 18
- coaches with no MLS coaching experience - 12
- coaches with MLS experience - 16
Of the current coaches (let's pretend that Watson in SJ still has a job) only 4 have *not* played in MLS: Cabrera, Arena, Porter (he had a couple of games, but nothing of consequence), Schmid.
So, the pool of coaching talent is fairly small. The options are:
- convince Bob Bradley to come.... not going to happen
- convince a sitting coach to come to Toronto (I can't see it happening)
- pick up one of the coaches about to be fired at the end of season
- hire one of the few experienced MLS coaches with out an MLS coaching job (Preki, Nicol, Marsch, Rennie, Nowak, Hackworth, Carver, Mariner, Spencer)
- hire the most promising assistant MLS coach out there
- stick with Vanney
Of the current coaches that had experience at any professional level prior to their current job there are the ones that are not leaving (Berhalter, Kinnear, Pareja, Arena, Schmid) and the ones I don't think we want (Yallop, Klopas). Of the rest, unless you can pry Vermes or Robinson away from their clubs (not going to happen), you would have to look at the possible firings (from most likely to least likely: Watson, Petke, Curtin, Porter)
This off season is going to be extra busy, therefore I'm ok with Vanney. Next year may be very turbulent, new roster rules with the CBA, expansion (both the draft and how it plays throughout the season), conference re-alignment, not playing a home game until May.