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There are many examples of players jumping into management after retirement. Xavi took over the managerial reins at Al Sadd just days after his playing career ended, while Frank took his first managerial job 18 months after hanging up his boots. Major League Soccer has seen some examples of people transitioning quickly into the coaching ranks.
Steve took a different route. Cherundolo spent seven years gaining experience at nearly all levels after playing for the U.S. men's national team and German side Hannover 96. He managed LAFC's USL affiliate, the Las Vegas Lights, last season after obtaining the coveted UEFA Pro license. Cherundolo was announced as the new manager of LAFC on Monday.
He said that he made a conscious decision to make it a long path and to learn from the ground up. And it's here. If the situation was right, there would be no hesitation. That's where we are now.
Cherundolo seems to be taking a big leap up the managerial ladder. His record with the Lights last year was the worst in the Western Conference, with six wins and 23 defeats. Las Vegas' role in the LAFC organization was clear, meaning that Cherundolo's record needs to be viewed through that lens.
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Bob Bradley left Los Angeles at the end of the 2020 season to take the job at Toronto FC and Cherundolo is replacing him. Bradley had a lot of experience when he arrived at LAFC. This is Cherundolo's first management job. It's not just any team. LAFC is one of the top jobs in the league.
Cherundolo has his own experiences in the U.S. and abroad. He knows how to coach and play. The question is if he can do well on a bigger stage.
LAFC co-president and GM John Thorrington thinks it is a transition. Cherundolo's background shows that he's ready for it. I remember when I knew Steve was going to have a head coach in his future, I always knew it. I think I'm not the only one who has thought that. It was the right time to give him that opportunity because we felt that getting to know him last year gave us a good idea of what he could offer.
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Bradley and Cherundolo seem vastly different. Cherundolo seems more reserved than Bradley. Will the difference be too different?
Cherundolo understands that the key is to be his own man and not a Bradley follower. His familiarity with the players on the roster will give him a head start, and it's worth pointing out that this was a team that failed to reach the playoffs last season. This team needs a different voice.
Cherundolo's ability to connect and improve players was one of the things that caught the eye of LAFC GM John THORNTON. "If you look at our roster, we have the youngest starting team in the league, and a big part of who we are is developing our players, and making them better," he said. Steve is a specialist in that.
The same can be said for LAFC's roster, which is being made a transition by the new manager. Atuesta is leaving for Brazilian side Palmeiras. Diego Rossi is going to make his loan move to Fenerbahce permanent. The acquisitions of defender Franco Escobar from Atlanta and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi from expansion side Charlotte are solid pickups, but more needs to be done, a fact that Thorrington. Cherundolo is confident that the team will be in good shape heading into 2022.
Cherundolo said that the amount of changes are normal. The core of the team is coming back, so I don't think we will rebuild.
Steve Cherundolo has a lot of experience.
LAFC's future depends on the role of Carlos Vela. The former Mexico international's contract option only lasts through June. The extent to which Cherundolo can rely on him is an open question, as is the future of Vela. The man sounded like he had long-term plans.
"I think the conversations between Steve and Carlos are very encouraging," he said. Those have already taken place. Part of the process is asking candidates what role they have in mind for Carlos. Carlos is important in determining who we are and what we're going to be. The plans that these candidates had for Carlos were very interesting to hear. My conversation with Carlos, Steve's conversation with Carlos, I think has Vela really excited about the role Steve has planned for him.
Cherundolo has drawn experience from some interesting managers. There is a new Manchester United manager as well as Bradley. Cherundolo credits the course with helping to form him as a manager.
Cherundolo said the course takes a long time to develop your own philosophy. There are influences. The process of going through it on your own was challenging, but also rewarding, because you get to know yourself, and what you really believe in, and make sure it all makes sense.
What is Cherundolo's philosophy? He said that they would try to be proactive, well balanced, and constantly making good decisions, but at the right times. It's recognizing where we are on the field and what phase of the game we are in and making good decisions. The chances of winning the game will increase if you make good decisions over 90 minutes.
Cherundolo will be able to put his theories into practice in less than two months. He thinks it will be worth the wait.
