According to Nick Firchau of the Chicago Sun Times the Chicago Fire have agreed to terms with former El Salvador National Team Coach Carlos de los Cobos. The Fire were reported in week-long negotiations with De Los Cobos, but it appears the two parties have worked out their differences.
The former Mexican National Team defender played for El Tri in the 1986 World Cup and was an assistant coach on Mexico's 1996 Olympic Team and 1998 World Cup squad. De Los Cobos has been a head coach for Mexico's U-23 squad as well as Mexican clubs Tigres, Club America, Club Celaya, Querétaro FC, and Deportivo Irapuato.
Most recently De Los Cobos coached El Salvador to the Hexagonal phase of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying exceeding many pundit's expectations. You might remember how De Los Cobos's squad tied the United States 2-2 in a wild game in San Salvador and then in their second game of the Hexagonal went up 1-0 early on against the Red, White, and Blue in Rio Tinto Stadium before falling 2-1 to the Americans.
I haven't had much time to digest the De Los Cobos hiring, but here are my intial thoughts.
The Good:
-Is a very experienced coach who's coming off a successful stint with El Salvador
-Being a former Mexican national team player and assistant coach will sit well with the Fire's strong Mexican following
-Has strong knowledge of CONCACAF which hopefully will result in the Fire signing some up and coming talent in the region
-Former coach of Cuauhtémoc Blanco
-Has a mullet-like hair style
The Bad:
-No previous MLS experience (coaches without MLS experience don't have a great track record thus far in the league's existence, but Technical Director Frank Klopas played in MLS and could help De Los Cobos learn the ropes)
-Over his 16 years of coaching experience he's moved around quite a bit (six club and three national team coaching jobs)
-Never coached in a non-Spanish speaking country
-Not named Mike Ditka
The Chicago Fire decided not to renew head coach Dennis Hamlet's contract after the Fire missed out going to the MLS Cup on penalty kicks. The signing of De Los Cobos makes one wonder what would have happened had the Fire won that penalty shoot out that night in Toyota Park.
There seemed to be a disconnect between Hamlet and the Fire's front office so it likely would have been only a matter of time until the club moved on, but looking back on that night the entire direction of the club was forever altered when keeper Nick Rimando stoned Brandon Prideaux to give Real Salt Lake the advantage in penalties.
De Los Cobos and Klopas will have to find a way to replace Blanco (who won't be in Fire uniform again at least until after the World Cup, if ever) and Chris Rolfe (who the Fire were unable to resign and is now playing for Aalborg in Denmark).
There are rumors of De Los Cobos bringing right footed Salvadorian winger Julio Martínez which would help fill the void left by Blanco and Rolfe if the deal ever materializes. Current midfielders Justin Mapp, Peter Lowry, and Baggio Hudsic could all see more important roles in the team next season. Whatever the future holds a new path has been forged for the Fire with the hiring of Carlos De Los Cobos
What do you think about the Fire naming De Los Cobos head coach? Share your thoughts below!
The former Mexican National Team defender played for El Tri in the 1986 World Cup and was an assistant coach on Mexico's 1996 Olympic Team and 1998 World Cup squad. De Los Cobos has been a head coach for Mexico's U-23 squad as well as Mexican clubs Tigres, Club America, Club Celaya, Querétaro FC, and Deportivo Irapuato.
Most recently De Los Cobos coached El Salvador to the Hexagonal phase of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying exceeding many pundit's expectations. You might remember how De Los Cobos's squad tied the United States 2-2 in a wild game in San Salvador and then in their second game of the Hexagonal went up 1-0 early on against the Red, White, and Blue in Rio Tinto Stadium before falling 2-1 to the Americans.
I haven't had much time to digest the De Los Cobos hiring, but here are my intial thoughts.
The Good:
-Is a very experienced coach who's coming off a successful stint with El Salvador
-Being a former Mexican national team player and assistant coach will sit well with the Fire's strong Mexican following
-Has strong knowledge of CONCACAF which hopefully will result in the Fire signing some up and coming talent in the region
-Former coach of Cuauhtémoc Blanco
-Has a mullet-like hair style
The Bad:
-No previous MLS experience (coaches without MLS experience don't have a great track record thus far in the league's existence, but Technical Director Frank Klopas played in MLS and could help De Los Cobos learn the ropes)
-Over his 16 years of coaching experience he's moved around quite a bit (six club and three national team coaching jobs)
-Never coached in a non-Spanish speaking country
-Not named Mike Ditka
The Chicago Fire decided not to renew head coach Dennis Hamlet's contract after the Fire missed out going to the MLS Cup on penalty kicks. The signing of De Los Cobos makes one wonder what would have happened had the Fire won that penalty shoot out that night in Toyota Park.
There seemed to be a disconnect between Hamlet and the Fire's front office so it likely would have been only a matter of time until the club moved on, but looking back on that night the entire direction of the club was forever altered when keeper Nick Rimando stoned Brandon Prideaux to give Real Salt Lake the advantage in penalties.
De Los Cobos and Klopas will have to find a way to replace Blanco (who won't be in Fire uniform again at least until after the World Cup, if ever) and Chris Rolfe (who the Fire were unable to resign and is now playing for Aalborg in Denmark).
There are rumors of De Los Cobos bringing right footed Salvadorian winger Julio Martínez which would help fill the void left by Blanco and Rolfe if the deal ever materializes. Current midfielders Justin Mapp, Peter Lowry, and Baggio Hudsic could all see more important roles in the team next season. Whatever the future holds a new path has been forged for the Fire with the hiring of Carlos De Los Cobos
What do you think about the Fire naming De Los Cobos head coach? Share your thoughts below!
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