BY DAVE MARTINEZ
With two months remaining before the start of the season, the New York Red Bulls are still without a head coach. Many options have been discussed – both domestic and European – but none have been confirmed.
SBI can now safely cross off two names from that list. Sources tell us American soccer legends Eric Wynalda and Tony Meola have been eliminated from the running.
Fox Soccer analyst Wynalda perhaps had the best inside track of the American options reported. He recently traveled to New York and met with team General Manager Jerome de Bontin. That meeting was followed by a discussion with Gerard Houllier on the West coast to discuss, in part, the head coaching vacancy. Of the available options, Wynalda has been the only American candidate to command a sit down with the Red Bull’s Global Director of Soccer.
On the other end of the spectrum is Tony Meola. The former Metrostar and New Jersey native was interviewed for a post with the club this month. Though he was ruled out for the head coaching job, sources within the club say there is a good possibility he could be considered as part of the coming coaching staff.
Sources also claim that the Red Bulls are closing in on their head coach, with the lead candidate still believed to be former Leeds United and Aston Villa boss, Gary McAllister (as first reported on SBI). Salary demands have kept both sides from agreeing on a contract, but with the MLS Draft and preseason training weeks away, the pressure is on the Red Bulls to make a move. With his ties to Houllier, who has taken a hands on approach with New York since his appointment by Austria this summer, McAllister has always maintained the inside track.
For their part, Sporting Director Andy Roxburgh, de Bontin, and Houllier have only contributed to the hold up as all three men hold strong opinions as to the direction New York should take with the appointment of their head coach.
What do you think of this latest development? Share your thoughts below.