The New England Revolution hired Marko Mitrović as the 10th head coach in club history. I must admit, I was surprised by the news. Mitrović was not someone I had heard about being in the running for the job. In fact, to be honest, I did not know much about him at all.
That is why I wanted to wait until after the press conference to write this column. Now that Mitrović has been introduced, and we have gotten to hear him speak, I found my initial feelings did not change.
Mitrović is not an MLS retread. In fact, he is the complete opposite: a first-time head coach for a professional team. I have mixed feelings about that.
On one hand, it is refreshing to have someone new, a completely new voice in the room to lead the team. On the other hand, his lack of experience as a head coach at the professional level not just in MLS, but anywhere, is concerning.
We heard Sporting Director Curt Onalfo say during the press conference that Mitrovič is a great tactician that understands and connects with modern players. Which may be true, but for the past four years Mitrović was coaching kids. Can that translate to professional players?
The tactics, which Mitrović himself described as attacking in nature, is a breath of fresh air coming from the Caleb Porter era. But will the players buy in? How do they feel about having a first-time head coach?
I was disappointed and concerned when Mitrović said he has not yet spoken to any of the players. Including Carles Gil.
Was Gil involved in the process of Mitrović’s hiring? Did Onalfo talk to him about it? Or was he not consulted at all?
The captain has put up with a lot over the last few years. We have had to watch peak Carles Gil waste seasons as the best player on teams not good enough to make the playoffs. Now a new coach has been hired and the club is moving in a new direction. You would think they would value the input of the best player in Revolution history.
If it is true that Gil was not consulted before Mitrović was hired, the only thing that gives me solace is the character of Carles Gil as a person. He has always wanted what is best for the club. Always put his head down and worked.
I hope that attitude is contagious with any players on the team that would have preferred a more experienced coach. I personally cannot deal with another season where the team implodes, the locker room is fractured, and the team ultimately gives up on the coach.
Onalfo implied during the press conference that other teams in the league were interested in Mitrović. I do believe that says something. Maybe now is the right time in his career to move into this role and succeed.
If the tactics work, the players buy in, and the team finds success, all of my reservations will be quickly forgotten. Such is the way with sports.
If this works out well, we will all look back at this as a genius move by Onalfo. If it doesn’t work out at all, then we will have wasted Carles Gil’s prime years.
Right now, I am cautiously optimistic.
What do you all think? Was Mitrović a good hire? Do you think the team will be successful with him at the helm?
An equally good question: Does Onolfo continue to be a good hire?
and best question of all....Would the football-centric Krafts be your
ideal choice to work for? Ask yourself: How often does the camera
focus on them watching Revs home games from their owners' suite?
I am encouraged by the choice of Mitrovic as head coach. I was impressed by his work with the USMNT U-20's and their performance during the recent WC (BTW, they had opportunities against Morocco but didn't take them and a defensive miscue did them in at the end). Also, another MLS newcomer's (Mikey Varas) work as head coach at FC San Diego is admirable and commendable. New kid on the [head coaching] block, and the league, has his expansion team as the #1 seed in the Western Conference. Not too shabby. Besides, after last season, I need something to be optimistic about. I look forward to meeting Mitrovic at the season member meet n' greet.