FLUSHING, N.Y. — Another postseason brings another question over whether a prevalent Spaniard will be staying at New York City FC. This year, that speculation is over head coach Dome Torrent after NYCFC's 2-1 defeat to Toronto FC 2-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals Wednesday night at Citi Field.
In his postmatch press conference, Torrent said he was unsure if he’d be back for the final season of his NYCFC contract and that he had to meet with City Football Group brass in Manchester to discuss his future. He appeared to suggest that the team's future prospects would not hinge on whether he stayed or moved on.
"Believe me, it’s not important," Torrent said. "They are ready for another coach, because they are a group, a big group. They are ready. But don’t worry. Patrick is not here, it’s Dome. If Dome is not here, another coach."
The Matchday Central crew discussed the comments in the postgame show:
Torrent also alluded to frustrations he had during the season, the first year at NYCFC without former star striker David Villa. Torrent cited the delay in signing a striker for the first part of the season and that the club’s player budget being middle of the table in MLS.
“I need to talk about it in Manchester because this season was a tough, tough season for us, for everybody,” Torrent said. “Many things happened this year, but the people don't know that. But we were able to win the Eastern Conference. We [are] in the middle in the budget. People don’t know that. I don’t know. We needed one striker in the first six or seven games, I don’t know.”
Torrent said he wasn’t sure what would happen, but that it’s October and “we still have time to talk about next year.”
And if Torrent isn’t back for the 2020 season, he said he has full confidence NYCFC can make another run at MLS Cup, repeating one of his favorite sayings that “soccer belongs to the players.”
He also thanked those players for their dedication throughout the season.
“They are the reason why New York City play really well, not Dome. Forget about it. Dome has one idea,” Torrent said. “Every single coach needs the players to follow you and the players follow me. I’m very proud of the players. I want to thank the players, every single day, every single training session they fight until the last moment. I love these players. I love these players.”
