ESPN Los Angeles this morning is reporting that Colombian Juan Carlos Osorio is set to make his return to the MLS coaching ranks and take on the vacant role at Chivas USA.
On Sunday, the former Chicago Fire and NY Red Bulls head coach led Once Caldas to the Colombian league title, his first trophy as a manager. He also coached the NY Red Bulls to their first MLS Cup final in 2008 in an improbable run that ended in a loss to the Columbus Crew.
Osorio was rumored as a candidate a few weeks ago when the club revealed that its list of final candidates had been narrowed to three. ESPN Los Angeles says that RSL assistant Robin Fraser and former Fire manager Denis Hamlett were the other two finalists.
“We’re looking at coaches intimately familiar with MLS and a lot of candidates that are very good coaches and have great experience in building successful teams in other leagues,” former VP of Soccer Operations Stephen Hamilton said before stepping down last week. “We want someone capable of coming in and doing the job but also stabilizing the position.”
Osorio would fit the description of “building successful teams in other leagues” based on his success with Once Caldas, where he was on the hot seat before righting the ship. He is set to replace Martín Vásquez, who was let go in a reported disagreement with club management regarding his technical staff personnel.
Thursday’s report states that Chivas USA will make the formal announcement of Osorio’s hiring next week.
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