The Chicago Fire made it official Sunday, announcing that Carlos de los Cobos, a former Mexican national player and coach, will be the new coach for the Fire, replacing Denis Hamlett.
De los Cobos, 51, will be introduced to Chicago media and fans at a news conference Monday at Toyota Park.
De los Cobos is well-known to the soccer communities in Mexico and El Salvador but relatively unknown in the United States and Major League Soccer. But his background in the Mexican leagues and in international circles is significant.
His last coaching job was as the coach of the El Salvador national team, which advanced to the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, its best showing since 1998.
De los Cobos also served as an assistant to the Mexican national team that won the 1996 and 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cups. He coached five different teams in the Mexican leagues and one team in El Salvador before becoming its national team coach.
As a player, de los Cobos played for Club America from 1979-89, winning five league titles. He played for the Mexican national team in 25 games, including the 1986 World Cup played in Mexico.
Most of the Fire players have little or no knowledge of de los Cobos.
"I know a little bit about him just from reading the articles and that sort of thing," Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch said. "The biggest thing for us is the style of play he wants once he gets here and gets training with him. With his pedigree and what he has done as a player and a coach he has a lot of experience."
Busch also said he has to wonder whether de los Cobos will retain Daryl Shore, the Fire's long-time goalkeeper coach, or give Busch someone else to work with.
Busch went through three coaching changes while with the Columbus Crew and this is his third coaching change with the Fire. He said players have to be ready to adjust.
"He is the boss, he is the coach," Busch said. "It's his way and we all have to understand that."
The Fire presently are scheduled to get together on Feb. 1 for initial physicals.
Kent McDill is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
