Osorio is the new Fire coach

By: Tom | July 5th, 2007

   

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As predicted here some weeks ago, the Colombian Juan Carlos Osorio has been named the new Fire coach.

Two weeks after firing head coach Dave Sarachan, the Chicago Fire have found his replacement. The Fire is set to announce the hiring of Colombian coach Juan Carlos Osorio as the third head coach in the team’s history. Sources with knowledge of the deal confirmed to ESPN.com that Osorio, current manager of Colombian club Millonarios, will be announced as the team’s new coach early next week.

Osorio, 46, is no stranger to MLS, have spent parts of two seasons as an assistant coach with the MetroStars, including the best season in club history in 2000. Osorio left the MetroStars midway through the 2001 season to join Manchester City’s coaching staff under head coach Kevin Keegan. Osorio stayed with Manchester City for five seasons, rising to the position of assistant coach under Stuart Pearce before taking the head coaching job with Colombian club Millonarios.

Osorio led Millonarios to a fourth-place finish in the Colombian spring season, helping the Bogota-based club earn a berth in the Copa Sudamericana.

Osorio, who was offered the Fire job a week ago, met with Millonarios officials Thursday and succeeded in gaining his release from his contract with the Colombian club.

Good appointment in my opinion: has a bit of pedigree in the Premiership, speaks Spanish, knows MLS, has done well in his current job. Downside? Not a lot known of him outside of that, untested as an MLS head coach.

Good pick or bad pick?

Category: Off the field, Team News

   

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Comments  

• sal |  July 5th, 2007 at 8:44 pm

  
  
  

  I love this signing. I just hope the guy gets a fair shake when the team is sold to new management.

  

• sapiens |  July 5th, 2007 at 8:45 pm

  
  
  

  This new is NOT true. Osorio has a contract with Millonarios until 2008, and actually, he is very happy in our city, Bogota. I m’ sorry for the bad news, but Osorio will stay with us. And thank you for the match. Will be your time the next America ’s Cup. (Colombia 1 – USA 0)

  

• DJCHR |  July 5th, 2007 at 9:55 pm

  
  
  

  Osorio should stay with Millonarios… American people, don’t start to dream with our manager…. Add to te last comment… (Colombia 1 USA 0)…

  

• Luis |  July 5th, 2007 at 10:09 pm

  
  
  

  Osorio prefer passion to money. You could offer a lot of money to him, but your league is a bunch of boring gringos playing somnething that you don’t like. He will stay in Bogotá were FOOTBALL is passion not a boring sport with a weird name. Money do not buy everything.

  

• Giuseppe |  July 6th, 2007 at 5:29 am

  
  
  

  Well if it wasn’t for Bradley’s USA B-Team Colombia wouldn’t have won a single game. But your right, we the stupid gringos, won our continenents tournament….and Colombia didn’t make it to the second round of YOURS. So while your sitting in your bodega crying about the loss of Osoria the USA will be playing in the Confederations cup.

  

• Tom |  July 6th, 2007 at 6:00 am

  
  
  

  I could care less about the Colombian or U.S. national teams – what does that have to do with MLS? Or whether Americans prefer the usage of soccer or football – why is one better than the other? Who cares and why?

  Millonarios fans, you’re upset your coach is leaving. Fine. But let’s stick to the topic at hand.

  

• Fuegofan |  July 6th, 2007 at 8:28 am

  
  
  

  Ecstatic at his signing. He has experience with the English game, the Colombian game, and MLS. Talk about balanced! Let’s hope he can actually take his experience and teach the players a thing or two. We need to maximize talent, heart, and tactics.

  

• Tom |  July 6th, 2007 at 10:15 am

  
  
  

  Official announcement here.

  

• Sollim |  July 6th, 2007 at 10:50 am

  
  
  

  Sorry but Osorio said that he will continue in MILLONARIOS. Sorry, Americans, you will have to continue playing against the wonderful teams of Nicaragua and El Salvador.

  

• sal |  July 6th, 2007 at 10:54 am

  
  
  

  Wow you guys make Colombians look bad. Which is already hard enough as I’m married to one.

  I know it sucks to lose your manager, denial is always the first reaction.

  BUT IT’S OFFICIAL. END OF STORY.

  Now can you let us Fire fans discuss our new manager?

  

• Tom |  July 6th, 2007 at 11:46 am

  
  
  

  Some more from Ives here – Osorio is on his way from Colombia, but Hamlett will be in charge tomorrow.

  

• Sollim |  July 6th, 2007 at 12:45 pm

  
  
  

  Sal, you are in denial. Osorio spoke today, just two hours ago, 2:00 ET to confirm that he will stay in Millonarios during this semester. I am sorry, you are in denial but you cannot accept it. I am sorry for your wife…

  

• Diego |  July 6th, 2007 at 2:18 pm

  
  
  

  I’ll be sad if this notice comes true….. if that notice is true… congratulations.. Osorio is an excellent person and an excellent coach….

  Pd. excuse me for my english

  

• Tom |  July 6th, 2007 at 3:21 pm

  
  
  

  Thanks for the comment, Diego. Glad to hear he has a good reputation with the fans, hope you find someone good to replace him.

  

• Sollim |  July 6th, 2007 at 4:13 pm

  
  
  

  7:00 p.m. ET Osorio says in an interview that he will continue in MILLONARIOS… Sorry…. You will have to find a new trainer