By BRIAN LEWIS
Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio shot down a GolUSA report that he’s considering leaving the team, saying he and his family are happy in New York and that he’ll definitely coach this year, the second of his two-year contract. But he said he hasn’t signed an extension _ offered yesterday _ and wants to see Red Bull show as much commitment to the TEAM as it has to the CLUB.
“We, and I mean my family included, we want to honor my contract. Family-wise, we’re very happy. Football-wise I’m pleased with what we’ve done,” Osorio said. “What can club do make me happier? We need to strengthen team. I’m just doing what other coaches have done.
“When you achieve something good, similar to what we did this season, you can’t just rest on laurels and think next season will be the same outcome. As coach one of your strengths has to be anticipation, and I anticipate a very hard season in 2009 because we’re competing on three different fronts.
“I have to be honest. I’m not threatening anybody. I’m not saying I want to leave. I want to stay here. I want to enjoy what we’ve done in a way we know we’ve qualified for the Champions League and I want to be a part of it. I want to stay, but like any other coach I want to strengthen my squad. Our squad was limited for MLS, much less any other competition.”
He’s not saying show him the money. He’s telling Red Bull to show him the COMMITMENT, and not just to the club (by building infrastructure) but to the team (by adding players). To paraphrase a great philosopher known as Sasha Fierce, if you like it Red Bull, you better put a ring on it!
Gratuitous Beyonce video to follow.
This came on the heels of a report in GolUSA where he was quoted as expressing uncertainty whether he wanted to return in 2009, and rumors that he was mulling a job offer from Deportivo Cali, as well as interest from another Colombian club and a Mexican side.
“I am not completely sure with continuing as Red Bulls Coach,” Osorio was quoted as saying in the GolUSA story. “I reiterate that the club wants myself and Juan Pablo Angel to continue, but there isn’t much interest in reinforcing the team and the truth is that I don’t want to risk putting myself in the position of suffering huge goal deficits in the championships and sub championships of CONCACAF. This is a firm and determining factor in my decision.”
Today he said that interview was granted MONTHS AGO, and that over the past two weeks he’s only been doing group interviews and conference calls. A Mexican team requested his CD _ his coaching background and highlights of his career _ and he said “They asked…my interest and I said I am not interested.”
Osorio stated that he’ll definitely be back for the second year of his two-year deal. He added that he was approached about an extension yesterday, but wont make a call on that yet because he’s been busy scouting players and dealing with his ailing mother.
“I want to stay here. I want to honor my contract. I’ve been approached by our club to talk about an extension. I’m thinking about it, and I cannot give answers as far as that,” Osorio said. “There are rumors out there that clubs are interested in my services in Colombia. That has always been the case (thank God) but I can’t say so.
“I don’t know at what point (the story) was published. I just can’t control that. As far as other countries I’ve been approached by teams. I have a contract I want to honor. Hopefully the club shows me commitment to my team, the same commitment they seem to have to the club, which is different. We’re building a stadium which is great, but that’s more for the club. I want to see the same commitment to the team.”
