On May 29th 2013 Chivas USA announced that they had agreed to part ways with Head Coach José Luis Sánchez Solá or “Chelís”, after just 3 months in charge of the Rojiblancos. The press release stated that is was due to the team’s poor performance on the field. That was just over one week ago, and although the dust has by no means settled after this shock announcement, I feel composed enough now to discuss the fallout from this decision.
“I hate losing. I hate losing because I have lost so many times. I remember my players and ask myself ‘How can they do it?’ And yes, it afflicts me. “
Rumors had been rife for a while, but after the news broke of the firing of Chelís, the initial shock of the ownership’s decision gave way to anger amongst the majority of the support. The results had been disappointing of course, but Chelís was already on his way to becoming a cult hero to large sections of the fans. And with the owners already doing their best to frustrate the fans, this only increased the vitriol directed at the club.
“The owner brought me here because I am convenient for him and he’s convenient for me because he pays me money. Our relationship is based on convenience, he pays me and I deliver football results…”
So Chelís and his team were not exactly delivering results, but it is not as simple as that. Everyone who either loves or hates Chivas USA knows that the position of head coach of this club is not going to be an easy job…for several reasons. The organization is failing from top to the bottom, so the main reason the club gave for sacking Chelís was the clubs poor performance on the field. However, the press release also states that: “While serving as Chivas USA Head Coach, Sánchez Solá not always followed the patterns of respect and conduct implemented by Major League Soccer, as well as by Chivas USA.” Furthermore it stated that Chelís “had at his disposal a competitive team”.
“If the group obeys you they will be successful. If you convince the group in your methods, you will be successful.”
Firstly, I would argue that it is a bit rich to claim Chelís did not “follow the patterns of respect” in MLS, when the very owners who issued this statement are showing a lack of respect to the fans who keep this club alive. The very owners who have failed to keep their promises and have also continued to let the fans down (and MLS). The fans who, on the whole, believed Chelís had made it a bit more intriguing to watch Chivas USA again.
Chelís’ group was not having a great season and there is no hiding that. Apart from a good start and generous haul of points in March, things quickly went downhill and the pressure mounted on the head coach. The main issue was with his tactics. His 3 man backline signaled an attempt at exciting and entertaining soccer but it was quickly identified by other teams as a major weakness and they began to expose these tactics. He stuck with it though and was adamant his players could turn things around.
“As I understand it, whoever wins in this league is the team most decisive in their idea. It doesn’t have to Newton’s or Einstein’s theory. It can be a small idea but you have to completely identify with it. I believe that our opponents, within their own idea have been more decisive than us”
Despite some disappointing results, Chelís had various problems with his roster. Not only was it inexperienced, but it was crippled with injuries, suspensions and a lack of depth. The people in charge were also making trades that were not exactly approved by their head coach e.g. Juan Agudelo, our main forward and goal scorer. But like every league in the world, you are hired to get results and Chelís, at this moment in time, was not delivering them. His tenure however had only started 3 months prior and the season was still in its infancy. Time was on his side and so were the fans.
“A soccer match is two hours where fans leave all their problems behind…they let go of so many things they have inside, chanting and cheering in favor of a color or a jersey…this sport is a spectacle and people pay for a ticket because they want to have fun…”
“So they pay $20, $30 or $40 for a ticket, or $100 for their whole family. Therefore you have to please them. If you go to a concert and pay $50 to see a singer, there is no way for the singer to go ‘blah, blah, blah’”.
José Luis Sánchez Solá quickly became a popular figure in the world of Major League Soccer. He was eccentric, passionate and a breath of fresh air in MLS. Most Chivas fans took to him straight away and so did fans of other teams. Unfortunately though, a lot of the media just focused on his zany quotes and dress sense. Of course they were hilarious and extremely entertaining but this man was not a joke. He came here to win, and to try and turn this club around and make it a successful brand. The supporters recognized this and his passion and down to earth manner shone through immediately.
“So if I have to go and interact with the fans and they say, ‘Chelís send number 14 in!’ I can say back, ‘I can’t because he is injured, hold up’. If you can speak to them, why wouldn’t you? Or are you so important that you can’t?”
Chelís built a connection with the fans that was completely absent during the Robin Fraser era. It did not take long for them to accept this new coach as one of their own, someone who cared about the club and where it was going as much as they did. Someone who exuded the same passion and desire that they did when the whistle was blown to start the game. And someone who was not afraid to say what they were thinking and shoot down the haters.
“So what if you’re down here and they’re up there. Hey! Your salary comes from up there! No?”
As a foreigner to these shores I was always impressed at how accessible Chivas USA was compared to teams in the Scottish leagues. Chelís took it to another level though and the above quote exemplifies that. Prior to the season getting underway Chelís had already spoken to us several times after training about what his plans were and even invited two of our supporter group representatives down on to the field to explain to the players what they were expecting also. We also enjoyed dinner and beers with him at the home of the Union Ultras’ “El Chiva Mayor”. This sort of thing just wouldn’t happen back home…or anywhere else in MLS I would expect.
“I see that everyone who is in this business takes a lot for granted. Many things seem normal to them. Because I was never a player they are not normal to me…”
One word that kept cropping up when people were talking about the club parting ways with their head coach was passion. Unfortunately, that was one of the few legitimate reasons that could be offered to oppose his dismissal. Those who actually agreed with the ownerships decision simply pointed to Chivas’ standing in the Western Conference and Chelís’ shortcomings tactically. However, a lot of these people were the ones calling for Robin Fraser to be given more time last year. Chelís needed more time as well. But with the current regime in charge of the club no coach, no matter how well liked he is, will not last if results are not positive.
“After I became champion with Puebla, I decided to stay for another year. The taste of victory convinced me to stay because as a coach we love the cherries in life. But believe me, 80% or 90% of the time we eat s***. We eat s*** and wait for the cherries to come. When the cherries do come their flavor substitutes 90% of all the manure you already ate.”
As you can probably tell, I was a fan of Chelís and what he brought to Chivas USA. From his passion on the touchline, his desire to change things at the club to the atmosphere he created in the squad. Minutes after the news broke the tweets from the players suggested the same. He was well liked in the locker room and it was not only the fans that were sad to see him go. Now José Luis Real is in charge of the club and the fans will just have to wait even longer for those cherries.
(image courtesy of USA Today Images)
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