When Chivas USA owner revealed on Tuesday that former Chivas USA head coach Preki was once offered Mexican national team star Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, only to turn him down for not being good enough, the story made plenty of waves.
Sources tell SBI Vergara took some liberties with the truth when re-telling that story.
According to sources with knowledge of the situation at Chivas USA during Preki’s tenure, Chivas USA was never offered Hernandez, and Preki actually asked for the Manchester United striker when he was a struggling prospect in the Chivas Guadalajara system only to be turned down.
“Mr. Vergara’s statement is quite simply untrue,” one source told SBI on Wednesday. “The opposite in fact was true. Preki asked Nestor de la Torre if he could have Javier Hernandez, and he was told he could not. The only players Chivas Guadalajara were willing to allow to come to Chivas USA were players the Mexican club did not want.”
When reached for comment regarding Vergara’s story claiming he passed on Chicharito, Preki declined to comment.
Preki was Chivas USA head coach from 2007 to 2009, leading the Goats to the playoffs in all three seasons. Chivas USA has missed the playoffs in each of the three seasons since Preki leaving the team by mutual consent.
What do you think of this development? Do you believe Vergara’s story, or starting to think Vergara is trying to spread blame for Chivas USA’s struggles?
Share your thoughts below.