The job of Chicago Fire coach Frank Yallop could be under threat if the club’s losing streak continues. They visit Houston tonight seeking to avoid a fifth straight league loss.
Yallop’s club have a dismal 4-9-2 record this season. The side are currently in Houston and reports suggest that he may be one defeat away from dismissal. Having lost their last four MLS games, Fire lie 20th out of 20 clubs in the overall standings.
Despite the arrivals of three DPs, Kennedy Igboanaike, David Accam and Shaun Maloney, the club has been unable to find any consistency and have just one league win since April 24th. The club also has the experience of Jeff Larentowicz who has played every league minute and talent such as Harry Shipp. In a busy December, they also brought in Brazilian defender Adaílton.
At one point the ship appeared to be turning as Fire recorded three straight league wins but that form has not lasted.
Fire ownership is reported to already have some names in the frame to replace Yallop and sources say calls have already been made about the availability of replacements.
Manny Lagos, head coach of Minnesota United, and Jimmy Nielsen at Oklahoma Energy are both regarded as having done well in their posts and have shown MLS capability.
Lagos played for the club briefly in the late 90s and is a native of the midwest. However, he is also tipped to retain the post of head coach when Minnesota enter Major League Soccer so the switch may not interest him if he wants to enter the league with a side he has built himself.
Nielsen remains well respected in Kansas City/Graham Green (Prost Amerika)
Nielsen is an MLS Cup winner from 2013 with Sporting Kansas City. He is currently head coach of Oklahoma, their affiliate club. Energy play against many MLS reserve sides and Nielsen has clearly made an impression and remains popular with the fans. His advantage over the other candidates may be his recent knowledge of the league.
The name of Eric Wynalda is also in the frame although he has restricted himself to broadcasting work since leaving the Atlanta Silverbacks. Wynalda is charismatic and would certainly be welcomed by the media but a full time MLS job may interfere with this work on television.
Fire drew 1-1 at Houston.
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