With reports swirling that Liga MX giants Monterrey are ready to pay a rumored $3 million release clause to sign San Jose Earthquakes head coach Matias Almeyda, the Quakes issued the following statement:
There has been no contact between C.F. Monterrey and the San Jose Earthquakes regarding Matias Almeyda.
There is no clause in Matias Almeyda’s contract that can be paid that will allow C.F. Monterrey to sign him.
Monterrey's interest in Almeyda was originally reported by TUDN on Monday. Speaking to MLSsoccer.com on Wednesday, Almeyda didn't fully shut the door on a potential move back to Liga MX, but noted that talks over his future would happen after the 2019 season concludes.
“I always try to finish the season,” he said.“ 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.”
Rumors kicked into high gear on Thursday, though, when ESPN Deportes' John Sutcliffe reported that Los Rayados are ready to pay a release clause to hire Almeyda, who managed Chivas prior to joining San Jose in late 2018.
With Chivas, Almeyda won a Liga MX league title, two Copas MX and the 2018 Concacaf Champions League, in addition to second-division titles won in Argentina with Banfield and River Plate. Monterrey, themselves the defending Concacaf Champions League holders, fired Diego Alonso with the team currently sitting outside of the playoff places in the 2019 Clausura season.
Under Almeyda, San Jose have racked up a 13W-15L-5D record, more than doubling their points total from 2018, and they have a shot of reaching the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs, depending on the outcome of their Decision Day presented by AT&T clash against the Portland Timbers on Sunday (4 pm ET | ESPN in US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada).
