Rene Meulensteen was attracted to the Philadelphia Union for a plethora of reasons.
Seeing what they’ve built with their Academy was at the top of the list.
Meulensteen, who spent 12 seasons with Manchester United, was named as a consultant last Friday and will advise the Union ownership on everything regarding soccer operations.
“This will become the envy of America,” Meulensteen said of the Union’s Academy. “It’s not only the Academy, it’s the school that’s attached with it. They’ve got the right vision of philosophy. … You have to walk in there. Just have to see the atmosphere. The environment is the one. I had a first glimpse of the level of players in there and it looked very, very promising. This is a strategy I strongly believe. When you have this right and you have the timing right, you just keep growing and growing and growing and you develop players that have Philadelphia Union blood running through their veins.”
While the Union search for a permanent sporting director, Meulensteen will offer his input to the franchise.
He believes the franchise is in good shape and will only get better
“First of all, I’d like to thank Philadelphia Union, (chairman) Jay Sugarman, it’s great to have the faith and trust of being brought on as a consultant,” Meulensteen said. “I have been in the United States for many, many years before. I’ve kept a close eye on the development of soccer, including the MLS. And it’s a growing league – it’s an emerging league. It grows from strength to strength, year in and year out. And to be given the opportunity to join a franchise like the Union on a consultant basis is a very exciting one. And most importantly is the philosophy these people carry. Jay said it very clearly, we don’t want to spend our way to the top, we want to build our way to the top. And I can honestly say what I’ve seen so far in the MLS, of the team to get the Open Cup final is a big, big achievement. Do not underestimate that. It’s a fantastic achievement. But what I’ve seen from the academy level over there is very, very good. The foundations are firmly in place and it can grow very quickly.”
As the Union prepare for season No. 6 in 2015, Sugarman is also planning for the next five years. He’s determined to watch the club move forward in every way.
Hiring Meulensteen was a major step.
“Well, I think as we look back at not only the last year, but the last five years, it’s to really build a team that we’re going to go forward with,” Sugarman said. “I think the coaching decision was critical. Jim (Curtin) had an extended trial period, but we were pretty sure about the qualities he brings to this are what we need to succeed in the league. but we also saw the need to bring in a sporting director to really take some of the onus off of the internal team that so far has to do many, many jobs. So when we look at the best in practice teams out there, the ability to scout, the ability to evaluate, the ability to train is very tough for a first team coach to say, ‘I’m responsible for all of the youth development, also for getting the first team players to play their best, for figuring out the USL Pro piece and by the way, I also have to go scout and figure out a way to bring talent into the team.’ That’s a tall order for anybody. So we think re-creating clear lines and responsibility and saying ‘here’s the job, here’s the metrics of success, go do that really well’ really led us to believe we need a sporting director who has the time and patience to really focus on that part of soccer operations."
Enter Meulensteen.
“Having someone with Rene’s experience is going to be a tremendous help,” Sugarman said. “We have to adapt as the league adapts. I’m not going to sit here and tell you ‘this is it, this is the only way.’ But I’m telling you right now, we feel pretty confident in the path forward and we’re really looking forward to an offseason with Jim with a full-time effort of how to make the team better. Where Nick can focus on business issues that will make us better. Where Tommy can focus on how to make the academy better. I think you start with a process you believe in, you give it the resources to grow – and there is some patience involved – if we get those right, I feel pretty good about where we’re headed.”
What do you think on the appointment of Meulensteen? Leave your comment below.
Contact Union writer Andy Jasner at andy.jasner@yahoo.com
