LAFC: Reportedly talking with former MLS MVP for 2018 manager

Atlanta United made a big splash into the MLS in 2017. Expectations are that LA FC will be aiming for an even higher club debut.

The Los Angeles Football Club has been setup to instantly rival the LA Galaxy upon joining the league in 2018. While LAFC can’t match the Galaxy’s on field success (who can), for quite some time, the flash and awareness of the club globally is achievable in the right circumstances.

They have an all-star ownership group, and have already broke ground on their 22,000 seat stadium in LA. They’ve launched an academy and have a distinct logo and color scheme. Next up, the person to lead this ambitious project to success.

Having already been linked with former US Men’s National Team manager Bob Bradley, LAFC have been linked to another MLS familiar name. SI’s Grant Wahl reported this week that former Columbus Crew, MLS Cup winner and 2008 league MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto is in consideration for the manager role. Who would make the best choice?

The Case for Schelotto

• MLS Experience: 118 appearances for the Columbus Crew, during which time he scored 38 goals. He led the Crew to a MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield double in 2008, and repeated as Shield winners in 2009.
• Coaching Experience: Several years at Club Atlético Lanús winning the 2013 Copa Sudamerican, before a weird episode with Palermo in Serie A. In March 2016 is became the new manager for Boca Juniors, his former club. The club currently sit in first place, with eight matches to go in the season.
• Pros: Has played and succeeded in MLS. Recognized name throughout the Americas which could prove helpful in recruitment. The last two MLS champs have been fueled by Schelotto-esque runs in Portland and Seattle. His knowledge of the player pool could give them an advantage.
• Cons: While he has playing experience in the MLS, coaching in the league is an entirely different matter. His overall resume is still fairly short, but a Argentine Primera would fix that quickly. Even with his name, may still not be big enough for LA FC’s launch.

The Case for Bob Bradley

• MLS Experience: Head coach for the Chicago Fire from 1998 to 2002, the MetroStars (now Red Bulls) from 2003 to 2005, and Chivas USA during 2006. Also served under Bruce Arena as an assistant coach at DC United during the ’96 and ’97 seasons. As a head coach he won the ’98 MLS Cup and US Open Cup twice with the Fire.
• Coaching Experience: Outside of the MLS, Bradley has an impressive resume around the globe. Most notably is him time as the US Men’s National Team head coach, from 2006 to 2011, including the incredible Landon Donovan last minute winner in South Africa. He won one CONCACAF Gold Cup, before moving on to lead the Egyptian national team. He even opted to live in the country during a period of heavy unrest and riots, and had the team performing well until falling just short of the 2014 World Cup. His stop at Stabaek in Norway made Bradley the first manager to lead a top flight European side, before a year at Le Havre AC in Ligue 2. Most recently, Bradley was given control of a struggling Swansea City in the EPL. He was never given a chance to succeed, or even one transfer window, before being quickly sacked by the club.
• Pros: Extensive MLS experience, still in 5th place for career regular season wins, and 3rd in playoff wins. Twice voted MLS Coach of the Year. Understands the American talent pool and would return to the league with a far greater understanding of the game from when he left. Offers a big name for the LA FC project and has experience dealing in new and unique environments as a manager.
• Cons: The league has changed a lot since Bradley last managed in MLS over a decade ago. May not be considered the right man to launch this fresh start for LA FC that someone like Schelotto could. The club will likely strive for an attractive, attacking style of play, is Bradley the right man to recruit for and implement that?

Next: MLS Expansion: Tampa Bay takes another step towards winning 2017 bid

The Decision

The safe choice is Bradley. He has the experience in general and in the MLS. LA FC want to win in 2018, but most importantly don’t want to struggle out of the gate. Bradley may not win them MLS Cup, but should be able to make them into a playoff contender at least.

However, Schelotto may represent what will become the MLS manager of version 3.0 of the league. As one of the best number tens, he created the blueprint for the right type of player needed to win in MLS vs. the biggest name.

The LA FC project is bold and splashy. They will definitely land one or two marque players. But for the manager, they should go with Schelotto and build a team full of top quality but undervalued South American players.