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According to a report from FourFourTwo USA‘s Paul Tenorio yesterday, former New York City FC head coach Jason Kreis is in advanced talks to become the new Orlando City SC boss.
Former sports reporter at the Orlando Sentinel of course, Tenorio’s report has understandably got Orlando City SC Twitter yapping right now.
With Tenorio quoting a “source with knowledge of the team’s coaching search”, Jason Kreis is allegedly the man high on Orlando City SC‘s priority list having assumed an Assistant Coach’s role under Jurgen Klinsmann and the U.S. Men’s National Team since being fired by New York City FC back in November 2015.
Rather harshly treated according to many Major League Soccer supporters, Patrick Vieira replaced him at NYCFC and is working wonders this term but the Yankee Stadium teams’ loss might be the Lions’ gain.
As we all know, interim head coach Bobby Murphy picked up a much needed point in an encouraging performance away at Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday but Adrian Heath‘s successor was always going to need MLS experience on his CV we feel.
And in rumoured target Jason Kreis, he has that.
Achieving two MLS Cup appearances in his time as manager of Real Salt Lake while winning one title in 2009, Kreis is a well-known figure in U.S. Soccer and the Omaha, Nebraska native appeared 14 times for the national team between 1996 and 2000.
Missing out on the end-of-season MLS Cup play-offs with New York City FC who finished in eighth place (seven points fewer than Orlando City SC) last term, Kreis would demand some control over transfers.
As Tenorio’s report claims, with both Paul McDonough no longer at Orlando City SC, not to mention the brief stint of Armando Carneiro, the power Kreis would receive is very much open to discussion.
Club President Phil Rawlins has already claimed the team is on the hunt for a manager who fits the club’s philosophy and Orlando City UK patiently waits to see if Jason Kreis is our man.
Here’s what Orlando City SC Twitter is making of the rumours so far…
Jason Kreis would be the smartest individual move this club has made since we kicked off in MLS..#GetItDone
— Chris (@OrlandoCountySC) July 17, 2016
Thanks but no thanks to Jason Kreis. Don't want NYCFC cast offs. Another laughable move by Orlando City.
— Mickey wants his say (@MickeysView) July 18, 2016
Jason Kreis won an MLS Cup and was Lovel Palmer winning another….. With low-budget RSL. Imagine what he can do here.
— Derek (@Rays1299) July 17, 2016
@JasonKreis will be a great fit for @OrlandoCitySC. Looking forward to having him on the #MLS sidelines for the side in #purple @TotalMLS
— Stuart Morrell (@orlandosgm) July 18, 2016
Hope I wake up to confirmation of @JasonKreis hiring or @PaulTenorio just blew up internet.people already putting out Kreis lineups for Sat
— Patty Floyd (@PvalFloyd) July 18, 2016