Philadelphia Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz confirmed to ESPN.com on Wednesday that former Fulham head coach Rene Meulensteen is a candidate to one day be the club’s next head coach, but no decision has been made about the position.
Soccerly.com reported on Tuesday that Meulensteen (above) is in line to replace interim head coach Jim Curtin, who replaced deposed boss John Hackworth on June 10. The Union have surged under the longtime MLS defender and former Union assistant, posting a 9-2-4 record in all competitions and earning their first-ever berth in the US Open Cup final at home next Tuesday against the Seattle Sounders.
"Absolutely no decision has been made," Sakiewicz told ESPN.com. "About three weeks ago, I suspended any kind of search activity for a new coach. I'm probably going to pick it up some time after the Open Cup. But [the new coach is] completely undetermined."
Added Sakiewicz: "[Meulensteen] is amongst a small group of candidates that I regard very highly for the position.”
Sakiewicz also released a statement that any decision on the coaching position will come at a later date.
"The coaching search has been suspended for several weeks," Sakiewicz said in the statement. "No decisions have been made. Our focus is on preparing the team to play the New York Red Bulls on Saturday and competing for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Championship against the Seattle Sounders on Tuesday night. The search will resume at a later date."
Three other candidates with strong MLS ties are also considered finalists for the job: former Montreal Impact manager Jesse Marsch, former New York Red Bulls assistant John Harkes and former US international goalkeeper Tony Meola.
Meulensteen, 50, was let go by Fulham in February after four months on the job and just four wins in 17 games at the helm. Prior to his arrival at Craven Cottage he spent six years as an assistant with Manchester United (2007-13) and also served as a coach in the club’s youth and reserve ranks.
Curtin, meanwhile, is expected to hold his weekly press conference with the Philadelphia media on Thursday ahead of the team’s matchup against the Red Bulls on Saturday at PPL Park.
