While eight teams prepare for the 2009 MLS playoffs, seven other teams prepare for the MLS off-season and plans for the future. For several of those teams, coaching is one obvious place to start considering a change.
Toronto FC announced on Monday that interim coach Chris Cummins won't be back for next season. That raises the obvious question: who is next? Cummins was only a stopgap when he filled in for John Carver, who resigned close to the beginning of 2009. A number of coaches have dark clouds hanging over their future, especially for a manager like Tom Soehn, who failed to lead D.C. United to the playoffs for the second season in a row.
Two coaches, Peter Vermes and Richie Williams are under special circumstances, as they were coaches for just a couple of months. Williams helped the Red Bulls earn a little redemption, culminating in their 5-0 win against Toronto on Saturday. Vermes and the Wizards floundered, as the club only managed a 3-6-3 record under the Technical Director. Schellas Hyndman and Gary Smith are both longer shots to get sacked, but both did fail to make the playoffs.
Who do you think is out the door next? Cast your vote in the poll below (and yes, we meant Gary Smith, not Gary Clark).
Has Williams earned a chance to show what he can do as a head coach with the Red Bulls? Will he end up elsewhere? What will happen to Tom Soehn?
Share your thoughts below
Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
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