There was no win-or-else ultimatum from Red Bull owner Dieter Mateschitz, no George Steinbrenner-style missive from the Austrian overlords. But Red Bull coach Juan Carlos Osorio knows he just got a reprieve, and that he’s got to win to cash in on it.
Yesterday Red Bulls managing director Erik Stover returned from overseas and told Osorio he still has a job _ for now. But the beleaguered coach is fully aware he’s facing must-win games in the final third of the MLS season _ and CONCACAF Champions League _ if he doesn’t want to get sacked.
“They haven’t said that: It’s almost like a given. I understand that my responsibility is to win football games, and we have not won enough games,” Osorio said. “That’s my goal right now. That’s my message to the players in the locker room: That we need to win games and we need to play for our pride, for our club and for our fans, for ourselves.”
They haven’t won a whole lot this year; just twice, to be exact. At 2-13-4 going into Thursday’s tilt with David Beckham and the Galaxy, they’re threatening the worst record in league history. They can salvage some pride by winning their home-and-home, Champions League qualifying round series with W Connection, and going deep in the tourney.
(And by the way, I’ve officially joined 2009. I’m finally on Twitter.) “I am pleased to see they still believe in what we are trying to achieve here. I’m thankful for the opportunity and the loyalty our owners have shown in me,” said Osorio, who was helped by the fact that his players were still backing him, unlike when predecessor Bruce Arena lost the locker room.
“I wasn’t given the facts. But it is my understanding that the players still believe in what we’re doing,” Osorio said. “The players, A) have expressed that individually, and B) apparently that’s what they expressed to our management when they met with them.”
The cynic would say Austria _ considering the recession and how much cash they’ve poured into Red Bull Arena, despite the horrid economic climate _ is on autopilot until next year, and are just waiting until the offseason to make a change.
But it’s noteworthy that after handcuffing Mo Johnston when his fate had been sealed, Austria is at least allowing Osorio and sporting director Jeff Agoos to make moves _ signing Leo Krupnik, letting Ernst Obster go so New York could have him, and perhaps adding Veljko Paunovic as well.
Either way, Osorio is plowing ahead, and is braced for the worst.
“I was prepared for whatever the decision they were going to make. I can understand both sides of both decisions,” Osorio said. “The results this year probably don’t show our effort and our performance in most games. However _ based on results _ I can understand, and I’ll accept a lot of the criticism coming my way.
“But I can also understand, and I appreciate those who think that what we achieved last season _ never achieved before in franchise history _ merit my chance. I would have accepted either way.”
Ok, guys. I’m almost afraid to ask, because I can just feel the blood pressure going up. But what do you think of Osorio being spared? And what do you figure is enough to get him to 2010? Reaching the group stage? Quarterfinals…or beyond? A big run in the last 3rd of the MLS season? Hollar at us. Just no cussin’…..
