Octavio Zambrano

[Scorpion26]

Will be interesting to see him coach CMNT.... I wonder what ideology he will bring to this team and will he bring an attacking flair or go more defensive with this team. I hope he goes for the attacking flair, because I do think we got enough talent to get some goals what Larin needs is service and maybe just maybe if he is hire he can help with that....

Well we got to wait and see if confirmed by CSA....

[RickC]

His supposed assistant, Javier Livia, received a write-up in Il Terreno of Livorno. Says he's with Canada's Octavio Zambrano and the first match is March 22nd vs Scotland. The odd thing is the story is from March 8th.  http://iltirreno.gelocal.it/livorno/sport/2017/03/08/news/l-ex-preparatore-javier-livia-vola-in-canada-1.15000022

[Alex D]

I'm pleased that we have gone attack minded with the hire. Even if he isn't the saviour I'd rather lose 4-3 than 1-0

[Unnamed Trialist]

2 hours ago, shermanator said:

Assuming a big swerve doesn't come on Friday, I'm glad we have a coach in place for the Gold Cup. As well, I don't come in with any expectations (good or bad) on the appointment.

But make no mistake, this hire won't change the fortunes of our national team drastically. Sure, the result could be a more attacking style of play, and rosters that don't have massive question marks, and starting 11's that don't have 5 CB's in the lineup. The talent pool that Canada has to draw from is the biggest reason as to why we fail in every tournament, at every level in the men's game.

Until that changes, it's status quo in terms of results in my book. Unless this country has developed and cap tied some players with some real quality on the pitch (e.g. if Davies continues to progress as he has the last 18 months), we'll be sitting here making the same points when the next coach is hired.

I think that where you are mistaken is to assume the rest of the teams in Concacaf we would normally be competing with have objectively better player pools. I don't think it is the case.

If we want to rivalize with the US and Mexico, I think you are right. But we don't have to, at least not as the next step.

Our goal has to be go one step further, namely into a knock-out round at the GC and into the HEX. And that involves out playing and out competiting teams with similar or even worse player pools and development systems. Competing is the key, competing well. Which is why most World Cups have a team from Concacaf no one expected to be there.

[youllneverwalkalone]

Looks like a poor man's Juan Carlos Osorio, which I guess is what we should expect at this juncture. Given the choice, I would have probably gone with Sigi, but I'm glad to hear they are also springing for a South American ass man.

[One American]

3 hours ago, Obinna said:

We are in a unique position where we have some good attacking players (Hoilett, Arfield, Larin, Akindele), and perhaps the CSA decided it was the right time to bring in an attacking oriented coach. If we can bring Davies into the fold sooner rather than later, and perhaps Tabla as well, we will not only have some young, respectable attacking depth, but a coach who's teams have a reputation for scoring goals!

 

When the games really start counting again, Canada has a shot at a pretty strong front six with a gosh-knows-who backline. The team is probably going to have to learn to outscore other teams. Packing it in at the back means neutering both sides.

 

I don't remember Zambrano greatly, but I think he was one of the few Metro coaches that didn't end up hated. 

Edited March 16, 2017 by One American

[shermanator]

4 hours ago, Obinna said:

We are in a unique position where we have some good attacking players (Hoilett, Arfield, Larin, Akindele), and perhaps the CSA decided it was the right time to bring in an attacking oriented coach. If we can bring Davies into the fold sooner rather than later, and perhaps Tabla as well, we will not only have some young, respectable attacking depth, but a coach who's teams have a reputation for scoring goals!

The thing is, do we really have good attacking players? Because for how good these players are for club, it hasn't reflected on the scoresheet yet for the national team.

None of these guys have made a difference during the games that mattered in the last year. Yes, it's a small sample size, but these same 4 players started in Honduras and did very little in the game outside of a good corner kick by Arfield to find James' head. And while I'm high on Larin, he has only scored one goal against an opponent at or better than Canada's quality and it went in off his ass.

When I see one of them step up and get a goal against Honduras in Frisco in mid July to get Canada an actual result against Honduras, I can be convinced. But right now, this is the usual pre-tournament optimism that leads to disappointment over and over and over again.

Edited March 16, 2017 by shermanator

[lazlo_80]

1 hour ago, shermanator said:

The thing is, do we really have good attacking players? Because for how good these players are for club, it hasn't reflected on the scoresheet yet for the national team.

None of these guys have made a difference during the games that mattered in the last year. Yes, it's a small sample size, but these same 4 players started in Honduras and did very little in the game outside of a good corner kick by Arfield to find James' head. And while I'm high on Larin, he has only scored one goal against an opponent at or better than Canada's quality and it went in off his ass.

When I see one of them step up and get a goal against Honduras in Frisco in mid July to get Canada an actual result against Honduras, I can be convinced. But right now, this is the usual pre-tournament optimism that leads to disappointment over and over and over again.

To this point too, I find it strange that people now want to play crazy attacking soccer. I can't think of any team other than Mexico that can go on the road in CONCACAF and consistently open it up. I'm just saying I wouldn't assume this means he's suddenly going to push us to get into high scoring games consistently.

[Soccerpro]

Not thrilled, not angry, at this appointment. We were never going to get a real top tier candidate, in my opinion.

He can't be worse than Floro. 

I'm glad Rob Gale got the boot, too.

[Obinna]

3 hours ago, shermanator said:

The thing is, do we really have good attacking players? Because for how good these players are for club, it hasn't reflected on the scoresheet yet for the national team.

None of these guys have made a difference during the games that mattered in the last year. Yes, it's a small sample size, but these same 4 players started in Honduras and did very little in the game outside of a good corner kick by Arfield to find James' head. And while I'm high on Larin, he has only scored one goal against an opponent at or better than Canada's quality and it went in off his ass.

When I see one of them step up and get a goal against Honduras in Frisco in mid July to get Canada an actual result against Honduras, I can be convinced. But right now, this is the usual pre-tournament optimism that leads to disappointment over and over and over again.

Yes the good attacking play from our players at club level hasn't been replicated with the national team, but they also played under a coach who decided to set the team up defensively. This is a coach who may do the opposite. That is something to get excited about.

One challenge for the new coach will be to figure out how to maximize the talent of Cyle Larin, Junior Hoilett and Scott Arfield. These are talented players, but if we don't set them up properly we won't get much out of them.

Lately I have been thinking that we should set up like this:

----------------Larin--------------

Arfield----Hoilett----Akindele (Davies)

---------Osorio----Johnson---------

I think we need Hoilett's creativity in the centre of the field because if we are honest, he's the only player in the pool who can really influence or change a game. Put him behind Larin and he'll no longer be isolated. Arfield would not provide the same sort of creative support i'm afriad, but he can (and does) put in a good shift as a left winger, and is clearly good on both sides of the ball. Same for Akindele on the right (or Davies when he's sorted out). That hopefully won't leave us exposed on the flanks, while giving us four front players who can actually play football (I love Ricketts, but he has trouble dribbling his way out of trouble out wide).

Osorio is a skilled player but doesn't take enough attacking initiative, so it's better to give that role to Hoilett and let Jono do what he does well at TFC, which is keep the ball moving and keep possession. In this position we need players who are good on the ball, because if our holding midfielders aren't skilled enough to manouver in tight space during the build up, they cannot supply the front players. This is where it generally goes wrong for us.

Aside of Osorio we can add Will Johnson to provide some steel, or you can rotate Teibert in. Will Johnson actually makes me a little nervous in possession, but the bite in midfield is valuable. What isn't valuable is Straith (or even Piette) struggling under pressure when the ball is at their feet. Piette has it and just needs to get more consistent, but Straith is in over his head in this position. Obviously if Hutchinson will be around, he will command one of those spots, or play it himself, with Osorio pushing forward to support Hoilett.

thoughts?

Edited March 16, 2017 by Obinna

[toontownman]

Instant reaction - thought it was a thread about a new Academy talent in Montreal. Such is my knowledge of South American coaches or mls prior to 2007. ?

The knee-jerk- CSA cheaping out again picking the bargain basement for an out of work compensation free coach with some relevant success 20 years ago but no international experience to suggest they would be any good. 

The reflection -  A deeper look shows he has great experience and knowledge of both the mls and concacaf in general. 

Looks to maybe be a short term fix but a successful one at most clubs. Especially in the first year or so. 

Like Floro, has worked a variety of interesting positions in between club coaching. But hasn't been out of work for extended periods.

Soccerpro summed it up for me. I can't comment about what he will bring really. The attacking football quotes are encouraging. His support staff will be key.  

[nolando]

Giving it more thought, Zambrano's CV as a "body of work" looks very similar to that of a snapshot of our average pro players in our MOACA thread at any given time; he has a smattering of European experiences in countries you have to Google, some latin-flavoured ball with un-favoured clubs in un-sexy leagues, and a peak with some solid work in MLS (albeit mostly many years ago). Maybe he's more fitting for us than some would have us believe.

[Watchmen]

1 hour ago, Soccerpro said:

He can't be worse than Floro. 

Spoken like a person who never watched Dale Mitchell manage the team.

[Watchmen]

7 hours ago, Greatest Cockney Rip Off said:

What are the chances of him being in charge for Scotland?

I would think he'd just mostly observe for this game/camp.  Not that he wouldn't point things out, but that he might not be looking to manage them without a clearer idea of what he's got to work with.  I guess that also depends on how long this has all been in the works and what he's already seen of them.  At least there's another game (and possibly more) before the Gold Cup for him to start implementing ideas.

[lazlo_80]

1 hour ago, Obinna said:

Yes the good attacking play from our players at club level hasn't been replicated with the national team, but they also played under a coach who decided to set the team up defensively. This is a coach who may do the opposite. That is something to get excited about.

One challenge for the new coach will be to figure out how to maximize the talent of Cyle Larin, Junior Hoilett and Scott Arfield. These are talented players, but if we don't set them up properly we won't get much out of them.

Lately I have been thinking that we should set up like this:

----------------Larin--------------

Arfield----Hoilett----Akindele (Davies)

---------Osorio----Johnson---------

I think we need Hoilett's creativity in the centre of the field because if we are honest, he's the only player in the pool who can really influence or change a game. Put him behind Larin and he'll no longer be isolated. Arfield would not provide the same sort of creative support i'm afriad, but he can (and does) put in a good shift as a left winger, and is clearly good on both sides of the ball. Same for Akindele on the right (or Davies when he's sorted out). That hopefully won't leave us exposed on the flanks, while giving us four front players who can actually play football (I love Ricketts, but he has trouble dribbling his way out of trouble out wide).

Osorio is a skilled player but doesn't take enough attacking initiative, so it's better to give that role to Hoilett and let Jono do what he does well at TFC, which is keep the ball moving and keep possession. In this position we need players who are good on the ball, because if our holding midfielders aren't skilled enough to manouver in tight space during the build up, they cannot supply the front players. This is where it generally goes wrong for us.

Aside of Osorio we can add Will Johnson to provide some steel, or you can rotate Teibert in. Will Johnson actually makes me a little nervous in possession, but the bite in midfield is valuable. What isn't valuable is Straith (or even Piette) struggling under pressure when the ball is at their feet. Piette has it and just needs to get more consistent, but Straith is in over his head in this position. Obviously if Hutchinson will be around, he will command one of those spots, or play it himself, with Osorio pushing forward to support Hoilett.

thoughts?

HAs Hoilett ever played in the middle? I ask honestly as I admit I've barely watched any of his club football but always assumed he was a guy who needed some space, hence why he was always on the wing.

[nolando]

From an article many years ago:

I am a South American coach, yes," Zambrano said. "But having been in this country for 18 years and having [worked with] coaches from England, Germany, Yugoslavia, it has given me a different outlook to what the game is all about.

"Yes, I do keep my South American mentality when it comes to playing an entertaining kind of soccer, but I do believe in the directness of the game and that scoring is what counts.

"So I think that the combination of both [European and South American styles] is the ultimate in soccer and that's what I've tried to do with every team I've coached."

 

http://articles.latimes.com/1997/nov/23/sports/sp-57050/2

 

Maybe we should have hired this guy in 1997?  In any case, I am so glad we aren't going into this competition with another caretaker coach.

[nolbertos]

Maybe he can convince Cavallini to join the Canadian Nats.  Being a South Anerican coacv, might make Cavallini commit to a more offensive minded attack.  I'd say Zambrano and his crew fly down south and talk to him.

[nolando]

Oh wow. This is a must read, especially the comments below. Too much juice in here to summarize but safe to say there are big question marks next to his ability to coach tactically in game and about his reputation for making teams more personalized than is good for the side. And then lingering doubts about his innocence in a scheme to personally benefit from transfers on players he was managing.

 

http://www.phillysoccerpage.net/2015/09/30/who-is-octavio-zambrano/

Edited March 16, 2017 by nolando

[nolando]

More gold on 'Tavi:

"That Zambrano had to go all the way to Moldova to find a job is a shame considering the success he enjoyed in Major League Soccer. During his time with the Los Angeles Galaxy and MetroStars, Zambrano built and ran some of the most talented attacking squads MLS has ever seen. The 1998 Galaxy, which boasted a 24-8 record, still hold the league record for goals scored in a season (85 in 32 games).

Perhaps more impressively, Zambrano took over a 2000 MetroStars team that finished 7-25 the year before and led them to within a game of the MLS Cup final. That season was without question the best in the MetroStars disappointing history, an accomplishment made more impressive by the impressive list of high-profile coaches who have tried and failed to take the team that far."

http://www.espnfc.com/story/378629

Edited March 16, 2017 by nolando

[nolando]

Digging at the terms of his split with his most recent club, Delfin.

http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/redbulls2.php?article_id=46744

A lot of articles seem to point to Tavi being branded a bit of a specialist in either saving sides from relegation or helping teams try to promote immediately after relegation. In any case his results have been mixed in this regard despite successfully saving Delfin from relegation. He apparently was under contract until December this year but the directors decided to move in another direction after disagreeing over future signings. Eventually the contract was mutually terminated.

http://www.eluniverso.com/deportes/2016/12/24/nota/5967703/delfin-busca-dt-dirigencia-decidio-salida-zambrano?device=tablet

http://www.benditofutbol.com/delfin/octavio-zambrano-quedo-fuera-2017.html

 

Also mentions he resides primarily in NYC.

Edited March 16, 2017 by nolando

[nolando]

A  scandal emerged during his time in Ecuador before Delfin.

He fell out with his second-last club, El Nacional, after blowing the whistle over allegations the club were using players as old as 21 in the national youth league designed for U17s. 

The official punishment from the federation tribunal was six months away from coaching in Ecuador :

http://www.estadio.ec/articulo/octavio-zambrano-fue-sancionado-por-6-meses

http://www.estadio.ec/articulo/zambrano-dejó-su-cargo-y-volvió-hablar-de-los-juveniles

So, is he an honorable whistleblower, a shitdisturber seeing revenge, or generally a magnet for trouble? Hard to say but he certainly has been surrounded with some uncertainty and drama over his career.

I predict we will have some interesting times ahead...

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/oz_football

 

Edit: I see he retweeted the "Thank You Julian"  CSA tweet on Jan. 30 which might have signaled his interest in the position, I assume.

Edited March 16, 2017 by nolando

[matty]

So what's everyones general thinking. Give him a year and if shit bye?

[Guest]

11 hours ago, shermanator said:

The thing is, do we really have good attacking players? Because for how good these players are for club, it hasn't reflected on the scoresheet yet for the national team.

None of these guys have made a difference during the games that mattered in the last year. Yes, it's a small sample size, but these same 4 players started in Honduras and did very little in the game outside of a good corner kick by Arfield to find James' head. And while I'm high on Larin, he has only scored one goal against an opponent at or better than Canada's quality and it went in off his ass.

1

Our attacking talents are WAY better than our defenders so we should take advantage of our strengths. And those attacking talents didn't do anything in that game because floro wanted them to park that beautiful bus of his that he keeps driving to each game.

[Guest]

Watch this guy be absolutely amazing because most people dislike him. How many of you loved Floro when he was bought because of his experience with Real Madrid?

[Obinna]

8 hours ago, lazlo_80 said:

HAs Hoilett ever played in the middle? I ask honestly as I admit I've barely watched any of his club football but always assumed he was a guy who needed some space, hence why he was always on the wing.

On the contrary, because he has good feet he can play in tight spaces. That's why he's played there for QPR on occasion.

Hoilett is great with space, but he doesn't need it. Someone like Tosaint Ricketts does.