It is not onerous to see why Garth Lagerwey is broadly thought of the most effective govt in MLS. Along with turning into the primary MLS common supervisor to take his staff to a Concacaf Champions League title, has additionally directed actual salt lake and the seattle probes to a mixed three MLS Cup wins and 6 different cup finals. That is 10 cup finals, six of them in eight years with the Sounders, regardless of by no means having among the best payrolls within the league to work with.
As you might know, Lagerwey is up for a retention vote later this 12 months. Much more than the final time he confirmed as much as vote. through which he sailed to victory with an 87% vote to retain him I think this shall be a formality. Within the 4 years since that vote, Lagerwey has added an MLS Cup and CCL trophy along with solidifying the expertise pipeline.
However that does not essentially imply he’ll be again in 2023. Along with him being up for a retention vote, Lagerwey’s Sounders contract is ready to run out as effectively. Maybe greater than any participant, specialists anticipate Lagerwey being probably the most sought-after MLS free agent in the marketplace and there are fewer groups that would make tempting presents.
This is how this might play out:
as a result of it is smart: Lagerwey is a Chicagoland native and the Fireplace is owned by the extremely bold Joe Mansueto, who has proven a formidable willingness to spend cash on every little thing from terminating the lease on Toyota Park to scrapping one redesigned brand and making Xherdan Shaqiri the most effective paid. participant within the MLS. After all, these selections have not labored out too effectively, however possibly that is why Lagerwey is smart. Though Mansueto has simply given the Fireplace’s sporting director, Georg Heitz, a confidence voteIt is not onerous to think about that Lagerwey could be a really intriguing rent. On prime of all that, there was Rumors that Mansueto was all in favour of hiring Lagerwey again in 2019even when the speak of an impending transfer appears to be fully made up.
as a result of it would not make sense: There are just a few causes. One is that the Fireplace simply employed Ishwara Glassman Chrein to be staff president, so I am just a little skeptical that Mansueto could be inclined to switch her earlier than she’s had an opportunity to make an impression within the group. Even when Heitz had been changed, that makes this a very sideways transfer for Lagerwey and I simply do not suppose he is prepared to do it, even when he comes with a increase and the promise to spend as a lot as wanted on the roster. In addition to, for all the cash Mansueto has spent, he would not have a lot to point out for it. That is successfully a whole rebuild and I do not know why Lagerwey could be all in favour of that type of mission.
chance of occurring: The prospect of going again dwelling and having some huge cash to spend absolutely has some enchantment, however this does not appear notably more likely to me. I might put it as impossible if it weren’t for an additional cause which might be a sideways transfer.
as a result of it is smart: Darren Eales simply vacated the Atlanta president job to take a job with Newcastle United. Not surprisingly, Lagerwey has been among the many largest names put ahead as a doable alternative. Whereas Lagerwey has centered totally on the sporting aspect, he has a ability set that appears to align with operating a broader group and has prompt he is all in favour of that type of problem. On prime of that, no staff can match Atlanta’s switch finances, which might permit Lagerwey to play successfully on the type of high-stakes poker desk he cannot play at proper now. If there’s one staff that might be argued to have a higher benefit when it comes to doubtlessly dominating Concacaf than the Sounders, it might be this one.
as a result of it would not make sense: Even when Lagerwey got full management over the group, that means overseeing the enterprise and soccer points, it is nonetheless a vaguely lateral transfer in that Atlanta cannot accomplish something the Sounders cannot. have already finished. Not like the Chicago job, there’s additionally no private cause for Lagerwey to think about the place, as neither he nor his spouse have any household ties to the realm and their youngsters are at an age the place shifting throughout would most likely not be most popular. from the nation.
chance of occurring: I would not rule it out. Professionally this seems like a fairly good job and I think about Arthur Clean would make it worthwhile. On the very least, I believe one of many first calls Clean made was to the Sounders to get permission to speak to Lagerwey. On the identical time, I do not suppose the timing is true.
as a result of it is smart: Lagerwey appears to have genuinely embraced the tradition and it’s important to assume majority proprietor Adrian Hanauer will make it value staying. Whereas eight years is an eternity in skilled sports activities, he has loved a number of success and has the assets to permit all of it to proceed. Timing for a recreation would even be a bit late, contemplating the Sounders are getting ready to turn out to be the primary MLS staff to play within the Membership World Cup, shifting to their new coaching facility in Longacres subsequent 12 months and they’re going to welcome Seattle to the world as host of the World Cup in 2026. These are all issues I believe he needs to be part of.
as a result of it would not make sense: You could very effectively really feel such as you’ve finished all you may in Seattle, do not see many alternatives for inside development, and are merely prepared for a brand new problem. These are all completely legitimate causes to not less than see what else is on the market.
chance of occurring: I believe that is most likely the almost definitely consequence. I am certain Lagerwey disagrees with Hanauer and Schmetzer on actually each determination, however they appear to have a really wholesome working relationship. If Lagerwey leaves, I are inclined to suppose it will likely be for a job outdoors of MLS somewhat than one which has most of the identical challenges he faces right here. As of now, none of that appears imminent.
I believe one of many first calls Hanauer would make is to Chris Henderson, who left the Sounders 18 months in the past and is at the moment overseeing a fairly spectacular makeover at Inter Miami. I additionally suppose athletic director Craig Waibel, who changed Henderson right here, could be critically thought of. Suffice to say, I believe this might be some of the wanted jobs in MLS and the Sounders would have loads of choices.