Another week, another Chicago Fire head coaching rumor. This time, the club is said to be talking to US legend and current Fox Football Fone-In host Eric Wynalda for its top position. I'm taking the rumor with a grain of salt, of course, but you'll have to excuse me if I'm a little excited about the possibility.
It's not because I'm a fan of the Fire. I'm sure there's more than a little concern in those ranks, considering that Wynalda has zero coaching experience; hiring a first-time head man to lead a veteran team, no matter the individual's playing pedigree, is a risky proposition. Pardon the pun, but there's a reasonable chance that Wynalda, if given the reigns of the Fire, would flame out spectacularly.
It's not just Wynalda's lack of experience that might lead to a crash and burn scenario, however. Wynalda's reputation for spouting off at the mouth, both in Facebook comments and in his various media appearances, is well established; under the pressure of trying to win in the parity-riddled MLS, could we really expect Wynalda to hold back and mute his tendency to make controversial statements? I know I wouldn't.
But that's exactly why I'm a provisionally excited at the prospect. It's no secret that MLS lacks for off-field intrigue, the type of press-driven sniping that makes the English Premier League so interesting for millions of fans around the world during the days between games. What would the last few English seasons have been without the silly back-and-forth between Rafa Benitez and Alex Ferguson? How boring would it be if no manager ever said anything ridiculous, controversial, or just plain dumb? How much could MLS, which lacks for high-level play on the field, use a little more grist for the conversational mill?
It's completely selfish of me to hope that the Fire hire a man I not sure can adequately lead them anywhere. 2009 ended in disappointment for a team built to win it all, and while there has been, and will be more, player turnover for 2010, expectations will again be high. The coaching search to this point hasn't been a smooth process, and frustration is building within the fan base. Candidate names, few of whom would get the fans buzzing with excitement, have come and gone. The club, like their Eastern rivals New York and DC, is on the verge of entering the new year still searching for a direction.
Perhaps the best choice for the Fire would be a man with head coaching experience and an appreciation of MLS and the American game. Greg Lalas suggests someone like Hugo Sanchez, the Mexican legend recently fired by Spanish side Almeria, would be an excellent fit. He even mentioned Chicago, saying that Sanchez could do for team what Blanco did; bring in the Mexican and Hispanic fan base. Sanchez, despite his own penchant for talking and a
swashbuckling style, might be a safer hire.
But who wants safe? Wynalda's played in MLS, knows the game even if he's a bit blustery at times, and he would give the Fire an nice profile bump with casual MLS and non-Fire fans around the country. The Fire could certainly do worse, and I would argue that taking a shot with Wynalda would be much better than bringing in an experienced coach that amounts to nothing more than an MLS retread.
There's no doubt Wynalda would be fun to watch and follow. Just thinking about the first time he takes a shot at an opposing manager in the press, or badmouths a player from another club, makes me slightly giddy.
C'mon Fire, hire Wynalda and give this league a little more flavor.
