Some relationships just aren’t meant to be. Even in sports, it can seem like a perfect match but end up to be the complete opposite. Whether it be coach or player, sometimes it all goes wrong and somebody gets hurt. This has happened in Major League Soccer in the past few hours.
Jason Kreis and New York City FC have parted ways after just one season; and so far is the sides first and last manager. Quite a cool record to have mind you. But still, the questions are already being asked. Some blame the coach. Others blame the clubs management. Some didn’t blame the coach at all.
Regardless of who the public think is to blame, the club were mostly neutral in their statement. Though some of the wording was a little harsh.
The official statement read:
“Prior to the start of the season, it was agreed with the coaching team that securing of a playoff place was an appropriate target for this year,”
“A win rate of less than one in three games and a points tally which was the second lowest in the league is clearly not in line with the targets that were agreed.
“While the challenges of building and integrating a new team are recognized, it was felt by the Board, following a comprehensive review, that there was not enough evidence of the dynamics required to improve the performance of the team for the next season and beyond.”
Let’s analyze that. Firstly, there was no way that team was a play-off worthy team. David Villa was relied upon too much and veterans Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard arrived too late and are yet to really find their feet and meet the expectations.
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It must be remembered that this was the entire squads first season together. They had been built from scratch, which was an unenviable task that Kreis had to tackle. But finishing 12 points off the play-off’s is frankly laughable considering the resources the organisation could call upon.
Some of that can be put down to Kreis. He had a habit of over-rotating his line-up which can be attributed to some of the problems. But not all of them. Plus just how many of those players did he actually want and was he denied the freedom he wanted to build his own team not that of CFG.
The positive aspects of the relationship with Manchester city was underused if anything; defying all expectations that it would be the complete opposite and be over-used with loan-signings. Shay Facey just didn’t cut it. City do have a number of prospects who won’t be given the right chances at City so could have done better in New York.
The statement continues:
“The decision to part company with Jason and his team after two years of working together has not been taken lightly and this is a difficult announcement for all involved,” said NYCFC president Tom Glick in a club statement.
“We thank Jason for his passion, his efforts and for his contribution to the historic inaugural season of New York City FC. Many memories of this first season will be indelibly etched in the minds of all involved with the club and Jason and his team have played a huge part in that.
“We wish him all the very best in what will undoubtedly be a continued successful career in soccer management.”
So where now?
Chicago could be a landing-spot for the now out of work Kreis who has a more than decent resume. Or perhaps Toronto? Taylor Twellman seems to think that Canada is calling.
1) Anyone else confused to not see a quote from Reyna?! 2) Expect Kreis to be a target of Toronto now. https://t.co/280PkxmMIu
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) November 2, 2015
And what about his replacement. As always there are plenty of names flying around. Some optimistic fans want to see under-fire Jose Mourinho swap London for New York. Fabio Capello was another name that was being thrown into the hat. Patrick Viera could be given a chance – he is widely tipped to become Manchester City manager one day having spent so long in charge of their youth set-up. Could MLS be his real proving grounds?