News roundup
The Mayor leaves Hannover, and MLS transfer drama
For the first time in nearly 19 years the Hannover 96 organization will not employ Steve Cherundolo. Back on the domestic front, MLS transfers are getting scrutinized for the way they took place.
TUESDAY WAS A FAIRLY eventful day in the American soccer scene. A USMNT legend turned coach is on the move and there was drama in a pair of MLS transfers.
The Mayor Leaves Hannover
There is a new job opening available right now for the Mayer of Hannover as Steve Cherundolo has left his role as Hannover 96’s U-17 coach and has taken a job as the assistant first team coach at VfB Stuttgart. There is a link for Cherundolo as Stuttgart’s new head coach Tayfun Korkut managed Hannover from 2013-2015.
Cherundolo, 38, is a club legend at Hannover where he spent his entire professional career from 1999-2014 and set the club’s record for most ever appearances in the Bundesliga. He eventually became the team's captain and was sent off with an emotional testamonial match. During his tenure he earned the nickname "The Mayor of Hannover."
On the international front, the Chicago native was one of the most popular American players of all time and was most known for his strong performances at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Since his retirement in 2014, Cherundolo has been coaching at various roles at Hannover. First as an assistant on the first team and then as the head coach of the U-17 team. This move to Stuttgart is the first time in 18 years he is not affiliated with Hannover.
As he continues his coaching career it will be especially interesting to see if he can earn a head coaching gig sometime soon in Germany.
Jack Harrison, 21, has blossomed as a soccer player the past two seasons with New York City FC after he was the league’s top draft pick in 2016. Playing primarily as a winger, Harrison scored 14 goals in 56 appearances and was one of the most exciting young players in MLS.
After days of rumors, Harrison was sold to Manchester City and loaned to Middlesbrough which is currently sits in eighth place in the Championship and trying to push into the promotional playoff spots.
Born in England, Harrison was a rare European player who used his performances in MLS to justify international callups. Last year, Harrison made his first appearances for England’s U-21 team in UEFA qualifiers.
It is a positive development when MLS shows signs of entering into the global marketplace. Just as many of the league’s teams are buying young talent from South America, there are also signs of selling to Europe (just last week Canadian youth international Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla was sold to Barcelona). Both are good things.
Harrison deserves his move to England but the fact that he was sold to Manchester City does bring the uncomfortable narrative of NYCFC being a “feeder club” into the equation.
Is it really a fair transfer if one of City Football Group’s teams sells it to another? What control does New York City FC have in this matter if their bosses are requesting the transfer? It’s not really part of a fair market. Can NYCFC supporters be confident that the sale was in the best interest of their team?
ASN writer Jamie Hills summed it up nicely.
“Although the Club was disappointed with the unacceptable behavior of the athlete and his representatives, a decision was taken to guarantee compensation with the Club’s future in mind,” the official Orlando statement read.
Earlier this month Larin traveled to Turkey without the permission of Orlando to undergo a physical. Still under contract with Orlando, Larin was trying to force a transfer. Later reports also suggested that Orlando was hiring an attorney in this matter to seek action against Besiktas.
But in the end of the day, Larin got what he wanted despite not honoring its contract.
Like many, MLS would be best served if it was more willing to sell its best young players. It can profit from the sales and attract more young players in the future. That being said, tactics such as Larin’s are unacceptable. He signed a contract and did not honor it. It will not be long until the league’s teams take a harder stance on this.
The Mayor Leaves Hannover
There is a new job opening available right now for the Mayer of Hannover as Steve Cherundolo has left his role as Hannover 96’s U-17 coach and has taken a job as the assistant first team coach at VfB Stuttgart. There is a link for Cherundolo as Stuttgart’s new head coach Tayfun Korkut managed Hannover from 2013-2015. Cherundolo, 38, is a club legend at Hannover where he spent his entire professional career from 1999-2014 and set the club’s record for most ever appearances in the Bundesliga. He eventually became the team's captain and was sent off with an emotional testamonial match. During his tenure he earned the nickname "The Mayor of Hannover."
On the international front, the Chicago native was one of the most popular American players of all time and was most known for his strong performances at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Since his retirement in 2014, Cherundolo has been coaching at various roles at Hannover. First as an assistant on the first team and then as the head coach of the U-17 team. This move to Stuttgart is the first time in 18 years he is not affiliated with Hannover.
As he continues his coaching career it will be especially interesting to see if he can earn a head coaching gig sometime soon in Germany.
Harrison moves to Middlesbrough via Man City
Jack Harrison, 21, has blossomed as a soccer player the past two seasons with New York City FC after he was the league’s top draft pick in 2016. Playing primarily as a winger, Harrison scored 14 goals in 56 appearances and was one of the most exciting young players in MLS.
After days of rumors, Harrison was sold to Manchester City and loaned to Middlesbrough which is currently sits in eighth place in the Championship and trying to push into the promotional playoff spots.
Born in England, Harrison was a rare European player who used his performances in MLS to justify international callups. Last year, Harrison made his first appearances for England’s U-21 team in UEFA qualifiers.
It is a positive development when MLS shows signs of entering into the global marketplace. Just as many of the league’s teams are buying young talent from South America, there are also signs of selling to Europe (just last week Canadian youth international Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla was sold to Barcelona). Both are good things.
Harrison deserves his move to England but the fact that he was sold to Manchester City does bring the uncomfortable narrative of NYCFC being a “feeder club” into the equation.
Is it really a fair transfer if one of City Football Group’s teams sells it to another? What control does New York City FC have in this matter if their bosses are requesting the transfer? It’s not really part of a fair market. Can NYCFC supporters be confident that the sale was in the best interest of their team?
ASN writer Jamie Hills summed it up nicely.
Good young player who has earned a move abroad. Going to Man City muddies the waters of the narrative considerably. Could mean he was sold for artificially low price....or artificially high. https://t.co/V4J3JXDXwi
— Jamie Hill (@_jameshill) January 30, 2018
Larin saga ends with Besiktas sale
While NYCFC gave Harrison a generous public farewell sendoff to Manchester City, Orlando City publically condemned Cyle Larin when announcing his sale today to Besiktas in Turkey.“Although the Club was disappointed with the unacceptable behavior of the athlete and his representatives, a decision was taken to guarantee compensation with the Club’s future in mind,” the official Orlando statement read.
Earlier this month Larin traveled to Turkey without the permission of Orlando to undergo a physical. Still under contract with Orlando, Larin was trying to force a transfer. Later reports also suggested that Orlando was hiring an attorney in this matter to seek action against Besiktas.
But in the end of the day, Larin got what he wanted despite not honoring its contract.
Like many, MLS would be best served if it was more willing to sell its best young players. It can profit from the sales and attract more young players in the future. That being said, tactics such as Larin’s are unacceptable. He signed a contract and did not honor it. It will not be long until the league’s teams take a harder stance on this.
