PHOTO: Lyndsay Radnedge/ Center Line Soccer
Editor’s note: This interview with Mikael Stahre was conducted three days after the Earthquakes’ loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps.
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Aside from the shouts and thumping sounds of feet meeting soccer balls, the general aura at the San Jose Earthquakes’ practice was remarkably pacific.
With an international break and a bye-week upon them, coach Mikael Stahre and his staff signaled directions to a smaller-than-usual group. The players displayed smiles from cheek to cheek as they each took a chance on striking the ball into the back of the net, adding to a sight that would come across as peculiar to anyone familiar with their present state.
Just a couple days earlier, the Quakes became the league’s first side to have their playoff hopes shattered. For Stahre, such situation like the one his team is in was the last thing he imagined happening during his first year west of the Atlantic.
“Of course not,” Stahre told Quakes Epicenter bluntly. “That’s crystal clear: you plan to be successful or try to at least reach the playoffs. Of course, it has been a huge disappointment, that’s for sure.”
For San Jose, 2018 has been a year filled with unexpected turns and an unhealthy amount of dips. After all, this calendar year can be categorized as one, if not the franchise’s darkest time. And even though Stahre’s side aren’t statistically at the level of the historical 2016 D.C. United, who accumulated a record-low 16 points in 34 matches, they’re are on pace for their worst season since the league’s 34-game format began in 2011.
Over the span of eight months, San Jose have only been able to edge to teams, FC Dallas and Minnesota United, twice. Throughout it all, blame has bounced all over the place, most notably from player to players. But could it have been the debuting staff’s underestimation of MLS that plagued their success? Stahre, who has quite a diverse coaching resume, doesn’t think so.
“I’ve been around, so for me I was really humble when I came here — respected a new environment, players, styles and coaches,” Stahre said. “It was not that; I was not naive in that sense. I came here to try and work with the basic things and take it step-by-step.”
Now, as the season progressively comes to an end, the Black-and-Blue’s schedule only gets tougher, with five of its next seven opponents currently playoff-bound sides. ‘Ending the season on a good note’ remains the general consensus at Avaya, but as the weeks go by, the fans plea for the sacking of Stahre grows.
The Swede acknowledges poor results warrants suchlike adverse reaction, yet instead of focusing on the external pressure or his job security, he vows to continue to give his all to the team for as long as he remains at the helm.
“If you perform poor, the questions to take the coach out are normal questions,” Stahre said. “I’m not afraid for that. For me, if the club thinks that’s the best direction, if they blame me for the results, then what can I do? The only thing I can do is work hard with my coaching staff and the players every single day.
“I’m not that guy that is walking around and be worried — that’s not my style. I’ve been in difficulties before, but, most of the time, I’ve been in successful seasons. So, if I answer your question, I’m not worried for that in that sense.
“If they want to do that, they will do it. As long as I’m here, you will see me with energy, with full commitment and passion for the game and for the players. Also, to treat people well, treat you guys well. You will see that as long as I’m here. If that’s two months more, or three months more, or four, or one year, or one-and-a-half.”
