The Denver Post reports that Claudio Lopez will not return to the Front Office next year. Smith told the Post that Lopez's contract was up and it was decided to not offer him a new one. This isn't a huge shock. Over the last couple of years Lopez has either been blamed for poor signings or for not convincing the Front Office to make good signings. Its never been clear, for obvious reasons, what players Lopez was actively involved in recruiting, successfully or not, but he was brought in for his South American knowledge and connections. Since he joined in 2015 the Rapids haven't had a successful notable signing from South America.
That, combined with the general (much needed) shake-up the whole organization is going through makes it an understandable choice to part ways. Lopez was an amazing player, great to the fans, and by all reports is a good person, its just time for a change.
Also in that article Smith talks about the new structure of the FO and his plans to add an assistant GM, a director of player personnel, and a head of sport science. These all sounds like good steps though I'd like to see the goal for these signings (especially the new director of player personnel) be more aggressive than the start of preseason. He also says that the team is in the final stages of the new coach but would not name any names. Reading between the lines though it screams to me that the target is Hudson but nothing will happen until after the Peru-New Zealand playoff series.
On the player front Smith talked about two positions he wants to fill quickly, left wingback and attacking mid. The first would be a much needed replacement for Williams, the second would be something this team desperately needs. I'm not sure how he's going to fit on the field unless the play is to go back to a 4-5-1/4-2-3-1 but maybe sticking with a 4-4-2 with a more traditional diamond midfield of Gashi and Aigner on the wings, Boateng at the back, and this new signing up front. Smith also mentioned Tim Hoard by name as the building black of the team, so its even more clear that Howard still has more in the tank.
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
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Every time I read about Pádraig's moves - FO, players, etc., I feel that there is hope for the club. Of course I'm going to reserve final judgment for many months down the road. But he really gets that it's going to take massive changes to get the Rapids competitive* on the pitch.
It doesn't take a lot reading between the lines to get that Hudson is Pádraig's man. It's going to hard to root against the All Whites, so let's hope that the give Peru a serious go.
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