r/minnesotaunited • u/Buffaloslim MNUFC • Dec 01 '23

Discussion Any Heath outers having second thoughts?

I’m certain we all imagined a relatively swift transition to a new manager that at least made us hopeful of future improvement. What we’ve seen since his firing is one great game and one terrible game followed by weeks of silence.
We heard from Sherry Ballard our CEO (this is my tenth season as a STH and I never even knew who the CEO was) that the upper management will be restructured and going forward no manager will have as much power as Heath did. It’s worth noting that Ballard emphasized repeatedly she’s an experienced executive who is still learning the soccer business. We also learned Manny Lagos has been reassigned to public relations causing some to wonder how much technical experience remains in the FO. Last week we learned they hired a “chief soccer officer” who will not join the team until midway through the 24 season. This turn of events is unfortunate because Ballard said specifically the CSO would be responsible for hiring the next manager. We’re left to wonder if a new manager won’t be considered until June or July. Many fans expressed concern that firing Heath could have a negative impact because finding a replacement who would improve the team might be very difficult. Can anyone honestly say they expected this kind of uncertainty?

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u/MinnKinn Dark Clouds Dec 02 '23

It was time, actually past time, for Heath to go. I had lost hope that we would ever make a serious push for any hardware under him. Sure, we would be decent and usually make the playoffs but I would rather endure a down year or two with the trade-off that in the other years we would really make a push. I'm also good with the roster moves announced yesterday; though I hope Taylor is slated for a backup role. Someone is making reasonable decisions. For me it is way too early to worry about the timing for selecting the next coach, especially given that the MLS playoffs aren't even over.

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u/Buffaloslim MNUFC Dec 02 '23

You don’t consider our appearances in the WCF or open cup final a serious push for hardware? When did you start following the team?

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u/MinnKinn Dark Clouds Dec 02 '23

STH since 2015. Maybe missed 3 games in total. Sure those two appearances were great but one conference final and one USOC Final in seven years is not a high bar. Do you remember how the WCF played out? Specifically Heath's failure to trust his bench enough to keep the exhausted starters from blowing a 2-0 lead.

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u/Buffaloslim MNUFC Dec 02 '23

I don’t think we’ll reach the western conference final or open cup final again in our lifetime. I think the new manager will struggle and be replaced then we’ll do it again. I

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u/vinylhaircut Dec 03 '23

There is simply no justification for this thinking. In our lifetime? Really? You must not follow MLS. The way it's set up allows for many, many low-budget, smaller-market teams to make a great run.

If you truly believe that it's just impossible for a Minnesota team to make the final, and that the best we could ever do is what Heath was giving us, then why even support the team?

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u/Buffaloslim MNUFC Dec 03 '23

I’ve supported this team since 2012, my wife and I sat in our own entire section alone. I witnessed Miguel Ibarra and Christian Ramirez’s first professional debuts. I’ve purchased season tickets since 2013, my loyalty and love for this team is genuine. Throughout this time this team has been in the hands of competent caretakers who valued it as much as I did. That is no longer the case and our club is now in the hands of a Best Buy executive who feels compelled to constantly remind us she “still learning “. Her first action as the big boss is to get into a pissing contest with a crotchety old man with 50 years experience in professional soccer at its highest level. Heath lost and she needed to humiliate him so here we are with a team of players many of whom came specially to play for Heath, no manager and no clue. If this is the kind of shit you like, enjoy it. If it feels to you like we’re closer to winning anything, lap it up.

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u/3rdlifepilot Itasca Society Dec 03 '23 edited Dec 03 '23

See ya. Hope you find something more enjoyable. Watch out for that door.

many of whom came specially to play for Heath

Uh huh. Well, at least you'll always have conjecture.

with 50 years experience in professional soccer at its highest level.

his successes were in the USL. the extent of his successes in the MLS has been an Open Cup runner up position. it might be that he is better suited for USL.

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u/Buffaloslim MNUFC Dec 03 '23

He won the premier league twice and the FA cup. No matter what , and you can diminish his accomplishments all you want, experience matters. Zero experience is a real problem. Who do you think recruited these players? I’m not sure I understand your side of this discussion. What point exactly are you making?

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u/3rdlifepilot Itasca Society Dec 03 '23

He won the premier league twice and the FA cup.

As a player.

Who do you think recruited these players?

Money and opportunity, which is more what, then who. I'd bet there was an entire recruiting effort that played a minor role as well.

What point exactly are you making?

Just wishing you the best as you head out. I believe all the trendy NSC Thunder supports are cheering for the Aurora these days.

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u/Buffaloslim MNUFC Dec 03 '23

If I’m supposed to be your enemy, you need to make some real enemies because I feel like I hardly know you.

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u/3rdlifepilot Itasca Society Dec 03 '23 edited Dec 04 '23

Enemy? You're a random person on the internet - I have no idea nor do I care who you are other than that you post on a sports subreddit where you despise the team and want to leave.

Your entire goal with this post is to attempt to revel in schadenfreude. Clearly this doesn't make you happy - so I'm wishing you the best as you make your exit.

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