ORANGEBURG, N.Y. — For just the second time since a seismic coaching change – which saw Patrick Vieira leave for OGC Nice and Domenec Torrent hired as his replacement on the same day – New York City FC were on the field at their training facility after three days off.
Running the session was assistant coach Javier Perez along with goalkeeper coach Rob Vartughian – the lone holdovers from Vieira’s staff – with the assistance of Rodrigo Marion, the NYCFC Academy director.
Torrent, meanwhile, is still in Spain awaiting his work permit, which NYCFC sporting director Claudio Reyna hopes will be finalized next week.
“We’re working through the visa/work permit situation, which we’re trying to expedite as quick as we can,” Reyna said after training Friday. “In the meantime, we’re closely communicating with him and he’s able to watch the training and speak to Javier and Rob.
Perez and Vartughian are implementing the training tactics, which have Torrent’s approval.
“When he gets here next week is when he can, in person, really put in his ideas and training sessions together and be able to impact the team,” Reyna said. “For now, he’s been really good to allow it continue.”
While Reyna is hopeful for Torrent’s arrival next week, ahead of an important league match against Toronto FC at Yankee Stadium on June 24 (5 pm ET | TSN 4/5 - Full TV & Streaming info), the other four to-be-named members of his staff will likely follow afterward, having to go through the same lengthy legal process.
Acknowledging there’s always subtle differences between coaches, even if they are under the same umbrella – like City Football Group – Reyna said the midseason transition from Vieira to Torrent will be “as seamless as it can be.”
“We have a good foundation to build off, style of play, system of play is very similar,” Reyna said. “But again he’ll make some tweaks and adjustments to it, both with the ball, without the ball, in transition that he wants to focus on and that again will come in the coming weeks as he’ll be able to be here with the team.”
Without going into details, Reyna said there was significant interest in the job, especially with Vieira’s move to France being rumored for weeks. But Torrent’s pedigree — he worked alongside Pep Guardiola for 11 years at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and most recently at Manchester City — made him the ideal replacement.
“We were really sure if ‘Dome’ was available and interested that he’d be right to the top of the list giving his relationship with the group and his understanding of how we play,” Reyna said. “It was pretty quick that he was the top candidate that was available.”
The players are rolling with the punches. They proved they weren’t distracted amidst swirling Vieira rumors by playing arguably their best game of the season in a 1-1 draw with Atlanta United in what proved to be Vieira’s final game as coach.
“Change is something that’s natural in life,” goalkeeper Sean Johnson said. “In this business and what we do, almost every player besides first and second-year players have experienced some type of change in their career. Obviously we’re wishing Patrick the best in Nice. He did a tremendous job here.”
Fullback Ben Sweat, who had his own life change by getting married during the slight respite from the league schedule, said Vieira told the team his decision during a meeting on Sunday morning. About 24 hours later, NYCFC had a new coach.
“Obviously we’re going to miss Patrick, but we’re really looking forward to Domenec coming in and the new coaching staff,” Sweat said. “We’re just focusing on the future right now with Domenec and his assistants and fitness coaches and what they’re going to bring to the table. We’re really excited to have him here. He’s got an unbelievable background and I’m sure he’s going to come here and do really well.”
