Argentine turnaround specialist is Earthquakes’ new coach.
Almeyda revived clubs in Argentina, Mexico
SAN JOSE >> The Earthquakes needed a turnaround specialist. They may have found one of the best in Matias Almeyda.
The 44-year-old Argentinian was announced as the Earthquakes’ next coach on Monday, giving a significant boost to a team that is 4-20-8 and will finish with the worst record in team history. Interim coach
Steve Ralston will remain in place for the final two games of the season.
Almeyda most recently managed storied Mexican side Chivas de Guadalajara, a club that was threatened with relegation when he took over in 2015. He led Chivas to five trophies in three seasons, including the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League title and the 2017 Clausura MX championship, before leaving in June because of disagreements with management.
“He is someone that knows how to redirect a team in a difficult sit-
uation with a commitment to a distinct style of play and youth development,” Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli said.
In Argentina, Almeyda took over two teams that had just been relegated (River Plate and Club Atletico Banfield) and led both to the top division in his first season in charge.
“With any coach there’s no magic touch,” Almeyda said through a translator. “I believe in long-term projects, I believe in teamwork always above everything, I also believe in the players, and I believe in treating everyone the same. Teamwork is what gets you through. From the equipment manager to the executives to the coaches to the players, we’re all equals when it comes to the team.”
The defensive midfielder represented Argentina in the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups.
His contract at Chivas had clauses that allowed him to coach the Mexican and Argentinian national teams,
and he was mentioned as a candidate to coach Costa Rica, leading to some surprise that he would take over an MLS team.
But Almeyda said he was “obsessed” with soccer in the United States, even coming here instead of Europe to watch training camps when he was a club coach in Argentina.
“There’s great soccer everywhere,” Almeyda said. “There’s no ideal location or style in soccer. I like to go places where there’s good conditions and creativity and seriousness in the project. That’s why I’m here. To be honest I had other opportunities to go other places, but in none of them did I feel like I feel here. This is a new project, a new country, a new life for both me and my family, and I feel very good about it.”
Almeyda will the team’s fifth manager in three years. First-year coach Mikael Stahre was fired last month, with Ralston coaching the last four games, all losses.
Almeyda said he would wait until this season ended before he would comment on assistant coaches or what playing style he will utilize.
Almeyda is also the first Latino coach in Earthquakes history, which could be an advantage when it comes to expanding the pool of potential additions and invigorating a crucial part of the Quakes’ fan base.
“It certainly has added value,” Fioranelli said. “MLS is also very rich in Latin American players and we feel that can be part of our future as well, so we wanted to make that first step. And by having a coach that comes from Latin America that certainly facilitates a lot of things, and we’re creating a bridge right now.”
Clearly, reinforcements are needed. Atrocious defense has left the Earthquakes at the bottom of the MLS table with 20 points, with only six available points left. They have never had fewer than 29 points in a season.
“Even though we have a winner here today, I want to make it very clear that we have not won anything yet,” Fioranelli said. “The bruises of this season are felt throughout the organization. The anger that I feel, and that we feel, is still real. We refuse to accept the season that we just lived in 2019.”