PHOTO: ISI Photos
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — San Jose Earthquakes captain and legend, Chris Wondolowski, says he hopes San Jose’s next hire at the helm has “knowledge” of the league and a seamless transition to his daily job.
“[I would hope it’s] someone who understands the league,” Wondolowski told Quakes Epicenter on what he wants from the Quakes’ next coach following the Quakes, 2-0, loss to LAFC. “Someone who understands what is going on.”
“You know, that doesn’t have to take a while to fit in; can come in from minute one and start rolling,” he added.
The Quakes, who have lost their last four matches, parted ways with Mikael Stahre less than a week ago and are currently under the command of longtime assistant Steve Ralston for the remainder of the season. However, it remains uncertain if the interim coach will be appointed on a permanent basis come winter time.
“I don’t know,” Ralston said on him keeping the job after this season culminates. “It’s been a week and it’s been a great experience.”
“No matter what happens, I’m learning a lot,” he added. “I’m learning what works and what doesn’t. I’m sure that I’ve made mistakes this last week, but I’ve enjoyed it. You never really know what it’s going to be like. It’s a lot more work, I know that. It’s a lot less sleep.”
With a growing shortlist of potential coaches, including the likes of former Ajax and Dortmund coach Peter Bosz and Boca’s Guillermo Barros Schelotto, general manager Jesse Fioranelli will have to face a complex conundrum when electing his next coach: Does he again rely on his international connections or does he stay domestic?
“I think that MLS experience (for the incoming coach) is important,” Fioranelli said days after the sacking of Stahre. “But also, we have to bare into consideration that we did say in 2017 that we want to do things that our club has not been doing, or would like to head into a new direction, to say the least.”
After appointing four coaches (one inherited, two interims and one appointed) in less than two years, pressure from the supporters is piling on the ex-Roma executive to make the right hire. However, Quakes Epicenter understands that the ownership group, who were in attendance at the Black-and-Blue’s game on Saturday, are willing to invest more than Stahre’s annual $400,000 salary on the team’s seceding coach.
