Osorio leaves Red Bulls coaching post
Former New York manager apologizes to fans, thanks players
"I want to apologize to the fans for the results this season," Osorio said. "I want to thank the players for their hard work. I'd also like to thank the club for the opportunity to coach the team for the past two seasons."
For the second time in three seasons, assistant coach Richie Williams will take over as interim head coach for the rest of the season and Stover said the search for a new head coach begins immediately "with Richie being given all due consideration."
"We have been in constant communication over the last few weeks and few months and it has been very difficult for him and he thought it would be best if he stepped aside," Stover said.
Hours after Osorio resigned, Stover admitted the team's managerial setup, which he called a "hybrid" of the way teams are run throughout the world, was flawed and will be changed ahead of the 2010 season.
"The structure as we have it now will not remain in place," Stover said in a conference call with reporters Friday afternoon. "It's a very fluid process and it's going to depend on what opportunities we have. We have our preferences, but it's going to depend on the personnel that we can bring in here."
That puts into question the future of Jeff Agoos as the team's sporting director. Agoos wasn't in a position of authority over Osorio and the two shared personnel decisions. That relationship was reportedly strained the last few months.
"I think Juan Carlos and Jeff respect each other," Stover said. "I think there are plenty of examples of how they worked very well together. I would put some of the challenges we faced this year in the category of the structure not being adequate."
While Osorio was under contract for the rest of the season, Agoos does not have a contract, according to Stover.
"It's been hard for Jeff, it's been hard for all of us the last few weeks," Stover said. "Jeff has stated publicly already that he's very committed to the organization and he'll do whatever is asked of us moving forward just as long as we have an opportunity to turn this around. As far as his future, I think there's potential there, but we have a lot of research we have to do yet and a lot of people we have to talk to."
When asked if that meant Agoos might hold a different position within the organization, Stover said, "It's possible."
Just nine months ago, Osorio and the Red Bulls were flying high, the much-maligned club making its first-ever MLS Cup appearance. There was a tangible excitement about the team, especially with the club's new $200 million stadium, Red Bull Arena, set to open for the start of the 2010 season.
Before the start of the season, Red Bull New York was ready to extend Osorio's contract. But those talks never truly got off the ground.
"It was a slow process and we didn't get very far with it," Stover said. "We didn't really get into serious numbers and discussions. We had actually started right before the season in that conversation and then, of course, we were in Argentina for camp so we weren't really sitting at a table eye-to-eye and then the season starts and it starts off poorly. We had some fits and starts, but we never really got traction."
Instead of re-signing, Osorio ended up resigning with the Red Bulls in the midst of one of the worst seasons in MLS history. The club has won just two regular season games and is winless in 16 consecutive games in all competitions.
A published report on Tuesday said the club had decided that Osorio and Agoos were not going to return for the 2010 season. While Agoos' future remains in doubt, Osorio ended all speculation by calling it quits Friday afternoon, two days before the Red Bulls take on FC Dallas at Giants Stadium.
Williams, who took over when Mo Johnston left as Red Bulls coach three years ago, will coach the team for the remainder of the season.
"We have confidence that Richie can help turn things around, change the culture and hopefully improve morale," Stover said.
Stover also addressed an internet report that cited unnamed sources stating the club was for sale and that Barcelona was a potential buyer.
"It's completely without merit. ... It just doesn't make any sense," he said. "If you just stop and step back and look at this from a business point of view, it's like buying high and selling low. I don't know where this stuff comes from."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
