New York City FC: 3 questions after MLS is Back Tournament
1. Is Ronny Deila the right head coach for NYCFC?
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New York City FC is a patient club. They were patient with Jesús Medina and are continuously patient with the Homegrown players. The club was patient with Domènec Torrent, despite fans calling for his head early on. But the patience paid off, for Torrent led the club to a first-place finish in the East in 2019.
So, what does this mean for Ronny Deila? Despite a rough start, is he still the right head coach for NYCFC, and should the club be patient and give him an opportunity to prove he is worthy?
On paper, Deila has many similarities compared to Torrent and even Vieira. There wouldn’t be too many changes to the playing style the Pigeons are used to, but yet it always takes time to adjust to any change. On the other hand, with all the time the Pigeons have had so far, and the few changes, fans would think the players would be ready and play similar to 2019. With that in mind, it can bring questions to Deila’s coaching style.
There were many times during the MLS is Back tournament when Deila had an opportunity to make a change when NYCFC was struggling and failed to do so right away. Some substitutions he brought on failed to contribute to the game. There have also been critiques from fans with how Deila is on the sidelines. At some points, he seems too quiet and doesn’t seem to communicate and bark instructions to players the same way Vieira and Torrent did.
Having only one win toward the regular season, and mixed performances in the MLS is Back tournament, makes Deila’s appointment as head coach questionable. Maybe he is not right for New York City FC and the players, or maybe he just needs a little more time. Again, the Pigeons gave Torrent plenty of time to make his changes, and it paid off. Additionally, while it would make sense to make a change in the middle of a crazy 2020 season like Atlanta United FC, NYCFC can use the year to make sure Deila is the right fit while also searching for a possible replacement in the case he is not.
As of today, it is still up in the air: Deila may be the right fit, and he may not. It would not be surprising if the club does remove him as head coach. Alas, he should at least be given a little more time to make his mark, and NYCFC knows sometimes a little patience can go a long way.