By Steve Cavendish
The Fire could announce a new coach as soon as this week, and he may be bringing a player with him.
A Washington Post report labeled El Salvador coach Carlos de los Cobos as the leading coaching candidate, and the newspaper also reported that he is trying to bring along right-sided midfielder Julio Martinez. Martinez, 24, is under contract with Leon in Mexico, was capped several times by de los Cobos in World Cup qualifying.
Sources close to the Fire said negotiations were underway with a coaching candidate, but that nothing had been finalized. The club has been without a coach since letting Dennis Hamlett go at the end of last season.
The Fire could announce a new coach as soon as this week, and he may be bringing a player with him.
A Washington Post report labeled El Salvador coach Carlos de los Cobos as the leading coaching candidate, and the newspaper also reported that he is trying to bring along right-sided midfielder Julio Martinez. Martinez, 24, is under contract with Leon in Mexico, was capped several times by de los Cobos in World Cup qualifying.
Sources close to the Fire said negotiations were underway with a coaching candidate, but that nothing had been finalized. The club has been without a coach since letting Dennis Hamlett go at the end of last season.
Fire technical director Frank Klopas said the coaching slot has generated interest from around the world.
"They see Chicago and want to get (into MLS) at the right moment," Klopas said. "We looked at serious candidates within this league and from outside the U.S."
Klopas said language was not a barrier in the coaching search and finding an English-speaking coach is not the top priority.
When looking at outside candidates, "more than anything, you want to find someone who wants to be here and respects the league. I don't think (language) is such a big issue."
Signing Martinez would fill a roster need for the Fire, which Klopas outlined as "depth in the forward line and maybe another wide midfielder" first among other needs.
With the loss of Chris Rolfe to Denmark and the likely departures of Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Gonzalo Segares, there are holes to fill in the Fire's lineup.
"We're looking at some different players," Klopas said, noting that whether it's in the January or June FIFA transfer window, "we'll bring some players in from outside."
"They see Chicago and want to get (into MLS) at the right moment," Klopas said. "We looked at serious candidates within this league and from outside the U.S."
Klopas said language was not a barrier in the coaching search and finding an English-speaking coach is not the top priority.
When looking at outside candidates, "more than anything, you want to find someone who wants to be here and respects the league. I don't think (language) is such a big issue."
Signing Martinez would fill a roster need for the Fire, which Klopas outlined as "depth in the forward line and maybe another wide midfielder" first among other needs.
With the loss of Chris Rolfe to Denmark and the likely departures of Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Gonzalo Segares, there are holes to fill in the Fire's lineup.
"We're looking at some different players," Klopas said, noting that whether it's in the January or June FIFA transfer window, "we'll bring some players in from outside."
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Great article Steve