MetroStars President and GM Alexi Lalas did not have to look far to continue remaking the team to his liking.
On Wednesday, Lalas removed the interim tag from Mo Johnston's title and named him the eighth head coach in the MetroStars' 10-year history. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"I am thrilled that my first head coaching job can come here in Major League Soccer with the MetroStars," said the 42-year-old Johnston. "Working with Alexi and moving into the new stadium in 2007 certainly makes this job the best in MLS, and I am honored that I have been given this opportunity. Now, I am excited about getting to work to bring our great fans the championship they want so badly."
Johnston, who had been an assistant coach with the MetroStars since 2003, helped guide the team into the postseason after taking over for former head coach Bob Bradley on Oct. 4. After struggling for a majority of the season, the MetroStars went 2-0-1 under Johnston's watch, snaring the fourth and final playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.
The MetroStars faced a daunting task in the form of the top-seeded New England Revolution, but emerged with a 1-0 win at Giants Stadium in the first leg of the aggregate series. Unfortunately Johnston's magic with the team wore off in the return leg as the Revolution advanced, thanks to a 3-1 win at Gillette Stadium.
"Maurice has been a revelation, on and off the field," said Lalas, who took over the team on June 13 after his first GM stint with the San Jose Earthquakes. "We've had a diamond in the rough and in the last month that diamond has started to shine. I'm excited to see Maurice guide a MetroStars team of his own making, and I expect it to be entertaining and successful throughout the year. The fact that he's a fellow redhead only made my decision easier. I've been saying for years that we don't have enough mutant gene in MLS."
Lalas said that the overall search for a new head coach was not as extensive as one might think because he got a solid glimpse of what he had in front of him.
"I felt I had some responsibility to take some time, certainly after the last game to look at it in a bunch of different angles," Lalas said. "There was no shortage of people calling me and writing me for the opportunity and it's a wonderful opportunity to coach the MetroStars, but Mo's performance and the time that he's put as a part of the MetroStars' organization means a lot to me and means a lot to the players.
"I wanted to do this as quickly as possible in order to give Mo the time to formulate his ideas and to make the changes he feels neccessary to make us more competitive next year."
Johnston said that after attending MLS Cup in Frisco, Texas, this weekend, he plans on making a trip over to Europe to search for potential players to sign. He said that he would like more depth on the roster and expects changes to be made before the start of the 2006 season.
One change that might not happen is the rumored departue of last season's MVP, Amado Guevara. Despite signing a four-year contract at the start of last season, published reports claimed Guevara seeked to leave MLS.
According to Johnston, his official hiring will be viewed favorably by Guevara.
"I spoke to Amado before I left in front of two or three different people and I asked him, 'If I'm coach here, do you want to come back and play for me?' And he gave me a straight, 'Yes,'" Johnston said. "So, I think that can squash all of the rumors right there."
Johnston, a forward/midfielder in his playing days, retired in 2001 after six seasons with the Kansas City Wizards. He was named team MVP twice (1998 and '99), and was a three-time MLS All-Star.
During the '99 season, Johnston was teammates with Lalas and roomed with him on the road. It was at this time that the future Metros GM got a feel for Johnston's personality. Lalas said he was impressed with Johnston's fiery side as well his ability to be serious on the field, but not take himself too seriously.
"His interaction with the players; his interaction with the fans; his personality on and off the field; his smile, it's all a part of the Mo Johnston that I love and believe to be a very, very successful coach for the MetroStars," Lalas said in Tuesday's conference call. "Put that all together and it's a wonderful package. It's up to him now to do the things that we're asking and I beleive that he can."
Prior to joining MLS, Johnston spent 15 years playing professionally in Scotland, England and France.
Internationally, Johnston is well known for the time spent in his native Scotland playing for Rangers. He became the first Catholic since World War II to play for the predominantly Protestant club. Johnston helped guide Rangers to consecutive Scottish Premier League championships from 1990-93.
Born in Glasgow, Johnston made his international debut in 1984, earning 30 caps and scoring 15 goals for Scotland, which included a trip to the 1990 World Cup.
"If it means that I'll sleep only three or four hours a night, that's OK because I want to bring the best to New York," said Johnston of his new gig. "They deserve it, the fans deserve it and this organization deserves it. To me, it's the best organization in the league."
Patrick Mulrenin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
