Mpenza Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Not sure if it was already posted, but Impact head coach John Limniatis said in an interview today that he wouldn't say no if he were asked to coach the national team. Source : http://www.radio-canada.ca/sports/soccer/2008/10/21/001-limniatis-canada-mardi.shtml Quote : "Everybody is aiming to improve, says Limniatis. Everything is going well with the Impact and I'm happy. But if the national team were to show interest in my services, I wouldn't say no. I am Canadian, I played for the national team. I'm proud of the national team, even though things are not going well presently. "Right now, I'm not thinking about it, but maybe I will in the future. All I want is to see the national team find someone who will lead it to success." So, there you go. Johnny's waving at the CSA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gator Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 He's done a great job with the Impact and seems to understand how to play against Concacaf teams, however I would like to see an experienced coach from outside the country! He couldn't be any worse than DM, could he? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loyola Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 quote:Originally posted by gator He's done a great job with the Impact and seems to understand how to play against Concacaf teams, however I would like to see an experienced coach from outside the country! He couldn't be any worse than DM, could he? At one point (look at 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 posts) DM was well regarded on this site, some were even proposing his name as a future MNT head coach...but the honeymoon ended and he has now become a terrible coach. Such is life for a coach...succeed and fans will think your great, fail and they'll think you suck.... So, the same could technically happen with Liminiatis who is currently doing an excellent job with MTL. I like what I've seen from him so far but I'm not sure his temper would mix well with our "party" players. They need a more relax figure like Stephen Hart...and if the players said it, I don't see why we should question them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 He's inexperienced. We have a Canadian coach doing well with his club, something very rare. Let's keep this going wait till he gets more experience and lets have a quality Canadian coach in the club spotlight for more than a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superbrad Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 I don't know - after what he's accomplished with the Impact and Champs league - he's looking world class..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadianSwede Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 ^^ Agreed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gator Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Remember how excited most of us were here about Yallop being appointed coach? He had a great coaching record in North America, he played for Canada and understood Concacaf- look what happened there! JL for all we know may be the perfect coach for this team, judging by what we've seen so far! I'm just not sure, he may need more experience! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VPjr Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Interesting comments. I've got no major problem with a Canadian coach for MNT, although I'd prefer a foreign coach with a better CV and who has experience coaching an NT because its a different task than coaching a club side. In many ways, coaching an NT is a tougher job because you have lots of pressure to succeed and very limited access to the players who need to do the job on the field and who may, or may not, work well together. BTW, through the grapevine I've heard that the Impact players feel that the team is much better organized under Limniatis than they were under De Santis. Of course, success breeds contentment so make of that what you will. The words I've heard to describe Limniatis are "intense", "motivator" and "disciplined". Those are traits I'd like in a NT coach but, again, I'd need to see a lot more than a 1/2 season of results before giving him such a job. The other question is whether Limniatis is interested in doing all the other stuff that is involved with coaching a Canadian NT, especially the politics. He doesn't strike me as a guy who has much time for the CSA BS that he'd be expected to deal with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeta Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Club football managers and international football managers, two completely different animals. Always flattering to hear people think enough to consider you though. But even still, I think JL may yet be years away from trying his hand at the international game. And besides, I think its just as important as anything else right now for us to have a good Canadian coach at the pro-club level in this country in order to help our MNT. Had a super year (half year) but I'm not even remotely prepared to hand the keys over to him just yet. Let's see how '09 goes for the Impact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmcmurph Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 All the coaches we've had since Tony Waiters have looked good and had a respectable track record going in. Problem is WCQ is several levels beyond what any of them have done. When we talk WCQ we are talking way up the food chain. The other teams scout us more, they spend more, they do whatever they can (legal or not) to get an advantage. They all (except the USA) are in countries that take soccer very seriously. They change coaches quickly if things aren't going well. Into that malestorm steps the CSA with a low budget and amatuer mindset more concerned with "maximizing ticket sales" than in winning. They appoint someone coach who they hope will get us to the HEX and beyond but if it doesn't happen no big deal to them. It is hard to judge a coach and see how they do at one level and try to relate that to WCQ. I like and dislike the JL for MNT coach for some of the reasons mentioned. Negatives: He is a Bill Cower type not a Tom Landry. He has coached essentially a div 2 team (an excellent one to be sure) to CL quarter finals. One season doesn't a MNT coach make. A lot of close games and failing to finish opponents off when they could. Positives: Excellent motivator. Knows CONCACAF fairly well. Would not accept a poor effort from anyone. He is a fighter and a fierce one. His game strategy is sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superbrad Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 The positives for me that he coached all the champ games with a sound strategy that balanced attack with defense. It gave the opposing teams fits and is exactly what many of us would have liked to have seen with the MNT and the WNT (where Mitchell and Pelerud failed). I'm not saying he is the messiah, but its the style that would have seen the MNT win a couple of games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gian-Luca Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Well it's nice to know that he's interested.....but bewarned that just because he's the right fit for the Impact it doesn't mean he necessarily will be for the national team. For starters there seems to be different personalities involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ed Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 I'd love to hear his answer to this question: "Who would you have in your starting eleven and your preferred formation against Honduras?" I am sure he is familiar with our CMNT player pool and he's seen a good chunk of the Honduran squad with the Impact's most recent CL opponent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadasBest Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Honestly I think Limniatis WOULD be a way better coach than Dale Mitchell, but he's still far from THE BEST choice. There are better choices for coaches outside of Canada that we could get. I really don't think there are any Canadian coaches that I want to see in charge of the National team, and despite the result at the '07 Gold Cup I don't think Stephen Hart is the best choice either. Would he be better than Dale? Absolutely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSamurai Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 quote:Originally posted by gwallace76 Honestly I think Limniatis WOULD be a way better coach than Dale Mitchell, but he's still far from THE BEST choice. There are better choices for coaches outside of Canada that we could get. I really don't think there are any Canadian coaches that I want to see in charge of the National team, and despite the result at the '07 Gold Cup I don't think Stephen Hart is the best choice either. Would he be better than Dale? Absolutely. I have to agree. I think IF he were to be given a shot, give him a shot during the 2009 Gold Cup. Sure it'd be nice to win it, but not the end of the world if he's not able to get the results. Or get a foreign coach but have a Canadian as an assistant. That way it would give them the chance to learn from someone with experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keano Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 The main difference is that with the Impact he has a group of guys who all want to leave it all on the field for eachother and the fans. *ducks* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beaver Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 As impressed as I am with what he has done so far with the Impact, I'm not so sure Limniatis is much better--if at all--than Mitchell. Let's not get silly, guys. We all know that we need somebody several notches better than Yallop, Mitchell, Limniatis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trident Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 quote:Originally posted by tmcmurph Negatives: He is a Bill Cower type not a Tom Landry. He has coached essentially a div 2 team (an excellent one to be sure) to CL quarter finals. One season doesn't a MNT coach make. A lot of close games and failing to finish opponents off when they could. I only take exception to the Div2 comment. He is managing a team that is more north america's answer to roma, chelsea, or any other of the CL teams than he is to managing North America's Doncaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmcmurph Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Trident I only take exception to the Div2 comment. He is managing a team that is more north america's answer to roma, chelsea, or any other of the CL teams than he is to managing North America's Doncaster. No disrespect intended to JL or the Impact. He has transformed the Impact into one of the best USL sides and has turned them around and utilized a full squad of players effectively. The Impact are great and I am watching all their games because they play the "Killer P's" style of soccer (Position, Possession and Passing) that I love to watch. I think you are stretching it a bit with the Chelsea comparison. As they are currently playing I would put the Impact on the same level as the upper third of the MLS. Even though my Caps beat them I wouldn't rank them that high. I hope they go far and I am sure they will make it out of the quarter finals regardless of who they draw. So far he has worked the offense to defense transition game excellently. He analyzes opponents and devises game plans for them amazingly well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keegan Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 quote:Originally posted by tmcmurph No disrespect intended to JL or the Impact. He has transformed the Impact into one of the best USL sides and has turned them around and utilized a full squad of players effectively. The Impact are great and I am watching all their games because they play the "Killer P's" style of soccer (Position, Possession and Passing) that I love to watch. I think you are stretching it a bit with the Chelsea comparison. As they are currently playing I would put the Impact on the same level as the upper third of the MLS. Even though my Caps beat them I wouldn't rank them that high. I hope they go far and I am sure they will make it out of the quarter finals regardless of who they draw. So far he has worked the offense to defense transition game excellently. He analyzes opponents and devises game plans for them amazingly well. Don't forget PASSION Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcaout Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 I have no problem with a Canadian coach. It seems like Limniatis is doing quite well against the same type of opposition we must qualify against. It's a little strange to me how many want a foreign manager. The only difference I can see is a respect one with the players: Our "big players" only will respect a manager with credentials. That doesn't really seem like a good situation to me. I don't know if that's really how the top guys think, but from recent Mitchell events that the sense I get from some of our players. I like the idea of an experienced foreign manager, but it also seems money is an issue. I'm thinking of say Winfried Schäfer former manager of Cameroon now, according to Wikipedia, at Al-Ain in UAE. He's had experience in Germany, in international football and even success African Nations Cup 2006. But can we afford him? I doubt it. Now that's one example, of who I think many of the Vs want, it just seems unlikely we can grab these people right now. That said Limniatis has done well, lets see what he can do in mid July losing to Rodchester away. How he motivates players in the middle of a season, in the unglamerous moments. I think he's a coaching prospect for the future, and I'm not surprised he'd make positive sounds at a suggestion he's at MNT level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 quote:Originally posted by mcaout I have no problem with a Canadian coach. It seems like Limniatis is doing quite well against the same type of opposition we must qualify against. See: Mitchell U20 years (qualification) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the biologist Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Ed I'd love to hear his answer to this question: "Who would you have in your starting eleven and your preferred formation against Honduras?" I am sure he is familiar with our CMNT player pool and he's seen a good chunk of the Honduran squad with the Impact's most recent CL opponent. In fact, 4 players of CD Olimpia were starters at the WCQ in Montreal and another one was also on the bench. In Tegucigalpa, it was the same except for Turcios who was added. That makes for 6 members of the NT (both benchers have got their time on the pitch) !!!!! Players like the keeper (Valladares), the guy who literally buried us with 2 goals in the first match (Nunez) and the guy who scored the 3rd one in Honduras (Thomas). Except for Costly, it seems they pretty much field the major contributors of the NT. Still they never scored THE second goal against the Impact (not to say a third one)... Mmm mmm... How's that possible ??? I think the best asset JL has is HE KNOWS WHAT TO DO WITH WHAT HE HAS TO WORK WITH. We don't have a first-class striker, so what ??? Let's play 4-3-3 (or 4-3-2-1) to provide support for our striker, and to create some corner kick opportunities !!! This way, Brown can bury the ball in with his head or his foot RIGHT FROM THE FRONT OF THE NET (Remember TFC fans ). Then when we lose the ball, we switch to 4-5-1 quickly and neutralize completely the 18-yard box. I think all of this represent the main differences in the style of play between the Impact and the NT. Mitchell vs Honduras: 0-2-0 (2:5 agg.) Limniatis vs CD Olimpia: 1-0-1 (3:2 agg.) Question: regarding the records, is it a convention in soccer to show them in the order W-T-L ? Cause it just seem to be the case, albeit not everywhere. I just put them here the NA way (W-L-T). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superbrad Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 The CSA can't afford the kind of coach we want. That leaves Canadians that aren't paralyzed by a systemic and ingrained football ideology that managed to get them somewhere in 1986. So far Hart and Limniatis are the only two (I've) seen that have coached a system that does not typify traditional Canadian soccer, i.e. try for the 0 - 0 tie...... It's far from ideal however under the current CSA structure that we all despise - what are the other choices (other than sack the CSA)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettermirror Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 First of all, the biggest difference between Olimpia and Honduras is.....the top quality talents to open the space that Honduras have compared to Olimpia. Say what you will about the Olimpia play in CCL, but you can't ignore the additions of Valencia, that twat from TFC and that other guy from Italy. Add to that players are always - it seems except for Canada and England - about 10% bigger and 10% faster when playing for their country as opposed to their club. NO LIMNIATIS SHOULD NOT BE THE COACH OF THE NATS. Not YET. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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