It’s been five days since Orlando City SC parted ways with James O’Connor as head coach, and there already could be a replacement in the works.
The Lions and Argentine manager Santiago Solari are in advanced talks, according to AS. Solari, 43, recently coached at La Liga superclub Real Madrid after working up their youth ranks in a managerial role.
During his playing days, Solari’s made stops at Argentine clubs River Plate and San Lorenzo; Spanish sides Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid; and Italian club Inter Milan, among others.
Should Solari take over Orlando City, he’d become their fourth permanent head coach since entering MLS in 2015. Adrian Heath, Jason Kreis and O’Connor have all led the club, while Bobby Murphy served as interim coach after Heath and Kreis were both let go.
Orlando began MLS play in 2015 as an expansion team alongside New York City FC, but is yet to make the playoffs. This next move will prove vital in changing that, as Luiz Muzzi continues to shape the Eastern Conference side as Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations.
In the last year, MLS has seen a growing wave of international managers join the league. Frank de Boer now leads defending MLS Cup champions Atlanta United, Guillermo Barros Schelotto marshals the LA Galaxy, Ron Jans was hired at FC Cincinnati and Matias Almeyda took over the San Jose Earthquakes.
Could Solari be next?
