Orlando City CEO Alex Leitao anticipates coaching hire next week

Alex Leitao - Orlando City SC - At mic

Orlando City SC will likely have a new coach by next week but it won’t be former player Kaká.


That was the message club CEO Alex Leitão passed along in an interview with ProSoccerUSA.com’s Jordan Culver.


“I believe we’ll be able to announce a name next week,” Leitão said. “It’s great to know this club is a desirable club. We have interest from hundreds of people. They believe in the players we have. They believe in the fan base.”


After firing Jason Kreis on Friday, Orlando City general manager Niki Budalic has interviewed some initial candidates. ESPN's Taylor Twellman reported on Tuesday morning that some big-name coaches, including a couple former Brazilian national team coaches, were "being talked about" as potential replacements for Kreis:

Contrary to some rumors, Kaká is not a candidate for that spot or as a job as a technical director, according to Leitão, who did say the “club’s doors are always open” for the Brazilian legend for some kind of position down the road. 


With interim coach Bobby Murphy in charge, Orlando face D.C. United in the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night (7 pm ET) and will look to snap a six-game league losing streak Saturday vs. Montreal (7:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info).