You know the old saying by Lee von Cleef: “It’s kinda lonely at the top.” For Chicago Fire manager Frank Yallop, those words couldn’t be any more true. As the man in charge, he’s got stacks of paper, a computer to watch film of players, and a landline that he considers himself foreign too.
April 21, 2013; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Jose Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop instructs against the Portland Timbers during the first half at Buck Shaw Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Welcome to your personal office, Frank. Get used to it.
“Sitting in here, this is terrible. I mean, it’s fine, he does it all day,” Yallop told MLSSoccer.com’s Anthony Zilis. “But I want to get out on the field, booting around with the guys. I’m a soccer coach.
“In the end, I thought I made some good decisions early about who I was keeping and who I wasn’t keeping. It’s not hurting us now, Brian’s not coming in and saying, ‘Why did we keep this guy?’ I felt I made some good, strong decisions early, but now it’s really starting to get going, so I thought, eventually I’m going to need some help because I want to start looking at some new players.”
Until the hire of Brian Bliss to the Technical Director position on Dec. 6, Yallop was calling all the shots. Despite the slightly reduced workload, Yallop still has to deal with life inside the office, so to speak.
“[Taking the Canada job was] not the right decision in the end, but you know, it was a good experience for me,” Yallop said. “[The LA job] was a testing time for me. In the end, I think I came through it pretty well. The results weren’t quite there, but the team never turned on me, which is important for any coach.
“I think what happened after I moved on, it was a bit of a relief. I had been working in the game since I was 14, and I never had a break. I’m not saying that I took an extended break on purpose, but the way it worked out, I needed that. I realized I needed that. Now I can’t wait to get going. I’m gunning to see a player. I should take one for coffee or something. I can’t wait to get going.”
Meanwhile, in first team news, forward/midfielder Chris Rolfe has be re-signed to a new contract. As per league and club policy, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We’re pleased to have signed Chris to a new contract,” Yallop told reporters yesterday. “He’s a dangerous attacking threat and provides a steady, veteran presence in the locker room. We’re glad he will remain a part of the club.”
“I’m really excited that we reached an agreement before the Re-Entry draft,” said Rolfe. “I’m happy to stay longer in the city I want to be in and with the club I want to be with.”
Name: Chris Rolfe
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 160lbs.
Born: January 17, 1983
Hometown: Kettering, Ohio
Citizenship: USA
Transaction: Re-signed on December 18
Twitter: @ChrisRolfe17
Professional Experience: Chicago Fire (2012-present) Aalborg BK (2010-2012), Chicago Fire (2005-2009)
“It was an interesting situation with an old staff leaving and a new staff coming in,” Rolfe told Chicago-Fire.com’s Jeff Crandall. “The budget situation made it take a little time but in the end I was happy negotiating with Frank and Brian [Bliss], I had a good experience working through it with them.
Sep 14, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Fire mascot Sparky cheers for the fans at Toyota Park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
“We reached a deal that worked for both of us. My conversations with Frank have gone very well and I’m looking forward to playing for him. I’ve heard nothing but good things from other players in the league. Picking up C.J. [Brown] was a no-brainer and I’m really excited to be coached by him now and just to have him back with us at the Fire.”
Finally, as Shaun Francis was selected by the San Jose Earthquakes in Stage Two of the MLS Re-Entry Process, Fire PDL midfielder Freddie Braun was named the 2013 Open Tryout winner, emerging from a field of 160 prospects. Initially with the Portland Timbers, Braun was instrumental in helping Orlando City capture the 2013 USL Pro Championship. He will be at the Fire’s preseason training camp in Ave Maria, Fla. on Jan. 26, 2014.
“We had a very talented pool of players at the open tryout,” said Yallop to reporters. “Freddie’s composure on the ball and his technical ability were evident throughout the two-day process. We’re looking forward to have Freddie join the first team during preseason training camp in January.”
“Winning the open tryout is exciting,” said Braun. “Chicago is close to home and is the team I’ve always wanted to play for. I’m really looking forward to showing the coaching staff what I can do to help the team.”