So when the time comes to replace Nowak, who would you like to take over as coach? Right now I think I would almost be happy with anyone. And believe me, when we got a team and I found out that Nowak was the coach I was really psyched! And now I just don't see anything good coming from this team. It seems they are playing out of fear? Anyway, today's coaching selection goes to Bruce Grobbelaar the former Red's GK was coaching and is currently unemployed and lives in Canada. Unfortunately I think we are stuck with the crazy Polish guy.
i would think hack would be top on Nicky Sack's list. unless there is complete regime change, i think its Hack's job
If Cal FC keeps winning then some MLS team better grab (and it hurts me to say this) Eric Wynalda and Nick Webster.
My number one choice would be Caleb Porter. I think we could talk him out of Akron now. If he wants to continue progressing as a coach he will have to manage a MLS team soon and I'm sure he'll feel like he has something to prove after the U-23 failure. Plus for all the fans who bemoan Nowak's constant formation changes, you will know what you get with Porter from day one and that is an agrresive, high pressing 4-3-3. Plus we seem to have the personnel to succeed in such a system already so there wouldn't be a need for a complete roster overhall. Freddy Adu looked the best I've seen him play in a long time in Porter's system. Pajoy looks alot more comfortable as the left forward in a 4-3-3 system. Our fullbacks (Garfan, Gaddis and Williams) are all attacking oriented. A centerback and an upgrade at target forward would be needed (but then again they are needed on this current team as well).
I think this would be a great choice. If its Porter, Wynalda, Hackworth, etc. point being that there are a lot of choices. Some people on here get upset as soon as you mention firing Nowak. First response being "that's great fire Nowak and who are you going to get to replace him?". Well I think there are a lot of choices, unfortunately I think we are stuck with Nowak til at least the ASG.
Bob Bradley. Richard Saunders - I have severe doubts that an aggressive 4-3-3 will survive an entire MLS season. I predicted SKC would wear out and we may be seeing that now.
You may be right but, on the other side, they played the formation last season and managed to finish first in the Eastern Conference. Despite their recent dip in form, they're still tied for first in the East on points per game this year.
Totally forgot about Bradley, that would also be a good choice. Do you know what's going on with his Egypt gig?
I think the jury's still out on SKC. They've had a poor run of form as of late, but they could bounce back. Anyone familiar with the details of Bradley's contract? I believe he is with Egypt for a few years, but they have the option to release him if Egypt does not win the African Cup of Nations or something along those lines. The idea of Eric Wynalda as coach makes me groan a bit, but I'd take him over Nowak at this point. Caleb Porter, Adrian Heath, and Colin Clarke would seem to be good choices. Hackworth as head coach makes me cringe; he's just as incompetent as Nowak. At least his public persona is a bit gentler. Would Paunovic come back and coach?
I would be interested in seeing Chris Albright try his hand. He is good friends with Ben Olsen and Ben has done a great job with DC United. How bad could Chris be?
I'm not saying Chris Albright couldn't turn out to be a good hire (although I wouldn't mind seeing him prove himself at the assistant level first) but this might be the least-convincing argument for hiring a coach I've ever seen! He's friends with Ben Olsen...how bad can he be?
I guess I should have put that in RED. Sorry about that. I fixed my post with some needed red coloring.
Healy from OCSC would be a steal. Porter would be a good possibility as well with his connections to the college game and an eye for finding talent to fit his system. Wynalda would be great for PR at first, but I don't know............he's VERY opinionated and he could quickly turn into a PR nightmare, not too mention he could easily alienate players as well. Not to mention his opinions on MLS. We all complain about Nowak's lack of media savvy, and his bluntness. Wynalda could wear thin even faster. One caveat with firing Nowak......we'd also need to hire a GM/VP Soccer operations/whatever you want to call it too. A new coach won't succeed if he doesn't have a good player personnel guy who understands the ins and outs of the MLS salary cap structure. I'm not totally against a change, as change often leads to good things. However, when I complain to everyone saying: "Fire Nowak Now!" is because everyone is quick with the answer, but never gives any thoughts to a solution. This thread is a good thing. It should also be noted that many successful coaches in MLS have gone through struggles with their current teams, and had fans screaming for their heads............only to be top of their conferences now. Good exmples: Yallop in SJ, Kinnear in Houston, and Vermes in SKC.
Nowak coached 3 years with DC United (2004-2006) and this is his 3rd year in charge of the Union so it's a good time to compare his performance with the two teams. DC United (94 games) 42 - 27 -25 (W - L - T) - 151 points Win percentage: 44.68 1.61 points per game MLS Cup (2004), Supporters' Shield (2006), 3 playoff appearances Philadelphia Union (76 games) 21 - 31 - 24 (W-L-T) - 87 points Win percentage: 27.63 1.14 points per game 1 playoff appearance You can certainly see why we hired him but even the biggest Nowak supporter should be able to discern why the Union might move on with another coach unless Peter can turn this season around with the playoff team he's been hiding in the locker room.
I know that Yallop, Kinnear, and Vermes had fans calling for a coaching change, and I think that's a part a lot of fans forget once you start to succeed. We all want the Union to do better, it's just hard to see the Unions direction right now. And it doesn't help that the coaching staff/FO are so secretive.
That's a great point and an argument could be made that Porter's rigid use of his pressing 4-3-3 system ultimately led to the U-23's demise. Over the course of a long season a more nuanced version of his system would have to be utilized. In some instances the formation would have to be more of a defensive 4-5-1 depending on match-ups, score, etc. As a young manager he will have to learn from his mistakes and adapt, and ultimately I think he will. Besides SKC, I believe the Rapids are also playing a 4-3-3 this year, and the Whitecaps, and Toronto (who absolutely ruin my pro-4-3-3- argument).
understood but how many of those guys took playoff teams and completely dismantled them, leaving a steaming pile of rubbish? i think people are calling for nowak's head for different reasons, not just on field performance
Yallop started the reborn Earthquakes from scratch, and has had only 1 playoff appearance since they came back to the league. Hans Backe/Erick Soler have completely re-built the RedBulls since there first season (yes I realize they've made the playoffs both years and are now in first). Fans have been calling for their heads since the end of 2010. KC's playoff appearance last season was their first since 2007. Serious Question: IF the Union had started 6-2-2 this season (Hell if they'd beaten NY and were 3-5-2 even), would the calls for Nowak to be fired be this loud?
Umm, what? Are you honestly asking if the reaction to Nowak would be different if we were tied for the lead in the Eastern Conference and hadn't limped to the 2nd worst record in the league? 6-2-2 would give the Union 20 points and we'd have the same PPG average as NYRB and SKC. Then again, if my aunt had balls...