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Along with the news that Chivas USA coach Jose Luis Real was transferred/promoted/whatever to the Chivas de Guadalajara head coach job Monday, Guadalajara-based journalist Tom Marshall reported at the press conference that former Chivas de Guadalajara coach Juan Carlos Ortega (who Real just now replaced) was named Director of Sporting Development at Chivas USA and Chivas de Guadalajara.
At this point, it is unclear what that job actually is. Is Ortega Paco Palencia's replacement as Sporting Director, working closely with Chivas USA? Is it simply a title to soften the blow of his firing as first team coach? Something in the middle? That is completely unclear at the moment.
Ortega was previously a player for a number of teams in Mexico in the late-1980s and 1990s. He was a largely-unknown member of the Guadalajara ranks when he was surprisingly appointed Chivas head coach in August, replacing Benjamin Galindo. Despite multiple assertions from Chivas' front office that Ortega would remain in place beyond the 2013 Apertura, the club's track record and Chivas' poor record this season made that appear very unlikely. Chivas finished 16th in the league table this season, and are now in possible relegation danger if they cannot finish better very soon.
That's the context for the latest upheaval at Chivas USA. As the second banana to Chivas de Guadalajara, the Mexican club is very much the first priority within the joint organization. That means Chivas USA is left to deal with the scraps of attention, time and money, if the previous track record is any indication. Whether Ortega will have much input with Chivas USA or not is unclear, but his complete lack of MLS experience isn't a great sign if he will be involved. We'll have to see on that front.
What do you think? Leave a comment below!
More from The Goat Parade:
- Chivas USA 2013 Player Postmortem: Patrick McLain
- Chivas USA 2013 Player Postmortem: Daniel Antunez
- Chivas USA 2013 Player Postmortem: The players who did not see the field
- Paco Palencia goes back to Guadalajara, Chivas USA coach and sporting director positions up in air
- The purge begins: Chivas USA cut ties with 10 players