Shortly after hearing of Greg Andrulis's termination as the head coach of the Columbus Crew, sixth-year Kansas City Wizards assistant coach Brian Bliss expressed his interest in taking over in a place he is familiar with.
"I feel for Greg. I played for Greg, and I have a good relationship with him. I wish him the best," said Bliss. "He's a good person, and I'm a believer that good people will find their way at some point again. Greg has done a good job there. Unfortunately the business side of things in a professional sport takes over."
Poland native Robert Warzycha, who was an assistant coach under Andrulis and a long-time Crew standout, was given the title of interim head coach while the search for a permanent replacement for Andrulis plays out.
"Robert right now has the opportunity to show what he can do. If the time comes and they are looking to interview some candidates, I would definitely be interested in that position," Bliss said.
Having been a member of the Crew during the 1996 and 1997 seasons as a player, Bliss is familiar with the Columbus scene. However, that fact is not the only one that makes Bliss a suitable head man.
"I played there for almost two years; spent some time in Ohio, living in Cleveland. So I have some ties to that Columbus team," Bliss said.
"I've paid my dues as far as being in the league. I look around the league and look at some of the other possible candidates who are either heads now or assistants and I think my resume is one of the better ones as far as playing and coaching."
With playing stints abroad in Germany and domestically with MLS, 44 caps for the U.S. national team and a year as a head coach in the A-League with the Connecticut Wolves, Bliss has an impressive and diverse list of experiences.
Ultimately club investor/operator Hunt Sports Group will have a significant say in who permanently takes the reins at Crew Stadium.
"I've been in the Hunt family, and I think that should count for something," Bliss said of his years with the Wizards, who are currently owned and operated by HSG.
Bliss is one of a possible many candidates for the job. Some of the names already being tossed as being primed for the post are former U.S. international John Harkes, former Dallas Burn head man Dave Dir, former L.A. Galaxy head coach Sigi Schmid and Warzycha.
Besides Schmid, Bliss is the only candidate who has been part of a coaching staff that has twice been to an MLS Cup, something the Crew are surely shooting for.
Robert Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
