SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Earthquakes head coach Matias Almeyda didn’t close the door on a shock return to Liga MX, with the Argentine admitting that every time his name comes up in the Mexican rumor mill it makes him “happy” amid links to Monterrey.
“I have friends, I have players that I have led and I have a lot of people obviously that when issues come up like this the first one to find out is me,” Almeyda told MLSsoccer.com midweek. “I am a very grateful to Mexican football – a football that I love, respect. And every time my name is said it makes me happy because it means that we have left beautiful memories, but I have nothing more to say.”
Reports in Mexico have suggested that Almeyda is the ideal candidate to replace the recently-dismissed Diego Alonso at Rayados, who appointed Pepe Treviño as the interim coach.
Monterrey – the current Concacaf Champions League champion – are currently in 12th place in Liga MX, out of the playoffs, with seven games to go. In December, the deep-pocketed club will travel to Qatar to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup.
When asked if he had begun talks with the Quakes front office regarding the upcoming 2020 season, Almeyda stated that the talks with San Jose will begin when their season comes to a close.
“Not yet,” Almeyda said on Wednesday. “I always try to finish the season. Once I finish it, I’ll sit down with [the Quakes’ directors] and we’ll talk and look over different topics. But with peace of mind, it will be done after our participation in this season ends.”
The Quakes, currently in eighth position in the Western Conference after suffering five consecutive losses, will play their final regular season game against the Portland Timbers on Sunday as part of Decision Day presented by AT&T (4 pm ET | TV & streaming info). If Almeyda and company win, San Jose will qualify for the Audi 2019 MLS Cup playoffs after starting the season with four consecutive losses.
