CARSON, Calif. - With Chivas USA officially out of any playoff possibilities, the club's coaches said the five remaining games this season could help sort out the base of next year's squad. But will the man running the show be the boss next year as well?
"I have to talk to Jorge Vergara because my position is in Guadalajara and we have an agreement to work here until November," head coach Hans Westerhof said. "After the (last) game, I will go to Guadalajara to talk with Jorge Vergara and Antonio Cue to see what's most important for the company and for Chivas."
Westerhof took over for fellow Dutchman Thomas Rongen in June after Rongen was relieved of his coaching duties and named the club's sporting director. At the time, Westerhof was named as coach of the remainder of the season and Cue, Chivas USA's president and co-owner, has not given any indication during this season whether or not Westerhof will be back as coach next season.
Vergara, owner of Club Deportivo Guadalajara, Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica and co-owner of Chivas USA, hired Westerhof to oversee his teams, but Westerhof had to step in and coach Chivas de Guadalajara in 2003. After the Clausura 2004 season, when Chivas lost in the finals to Pumas UNAM, Westerhof left his coaching duties to focus on his prior job.
While he's been Chivas USA's boss, Westerhof said he has tried to keep up with the two other clubs by talking with Guadalajara and Saprissa officials, but not as much as he had in his previous job.
"I have a lot of contact with (them) but at the same time I just don't have the time to go to Guadalajara or Costa Rica," Westerhof said.
Westerhof said that although Chivas USA is significant, "also our projects in Guadalajara and Saprissa are important."
"I like to work here but at the same time, we have projects in Guadalajara and Saprissa. I'd like to see this project through."
But Westerhof said he did not think too much about the future and instead concentrates on the task at hand.
"For now, my thoughts are here," he said.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
