I'd love to revisit this thread after our first crappy result in the next round of qualifiers. Ask yourself how your responses would differ if we'd squeaked by this round, or if we'd needed the result of another group match to go through. I'm not trying to dampen the euphoria, and I do think he deserves credit for his work under these unfavorable circumstances.
Skocic's contract expired, btw. Apparently they're negotiating a renewal but there is a real possibility that CQ's in the discussion. All the bad blood with the federation notwithstanding, I'd bet he'd take the job if offered. It's a 1-year straight shot to the world cup with a team he already knows (and likely a high salary). The federation should do everything in its power to get him.
Again, not saying he's perfect, and his results with Colombia do raise an eyebrow. But he's at the intersection of "best coach" and "possible" for us.
I'll also point out one more thing: the real test of Skocic (and we'll really begin to miss CQ) is when the team has its first bad result, or first controversy. Will players give secret interviews? Create rival camps in the squad? Create hashiyeh?
Whatever you want to say about CQ, he was able to keep our heads on straight. Even if we didn't beat all our opponents, he set us up so that we only rarely beat ourselves.
Skocic's contract expired, btw. Apparently they're negotiating a renewal but there is a real possibility that CQ's in the discussion. All the bad blood with the federation notwithstanding, I'd bet he'd take the job if offered. It's a 1-year straight shot to the world cup with a team he already knows (and likely a high salary). The federation should do everything in its power to get him.
Again, not saying he's perfect, and his results with Colombia do raise an eyebrow. But he's at the intersection of "best coach" and "possible" for us.
I'll also point out one more thing: the real test of Skocic (and we'll really begin to miss CQ) is when the team has its first bad result, or first controversy. Will players give secret interviews? Create rival camps in the squad? Create hashiyeh?
Whatever you want to say about CQ, he was able to keep our heads on straight. Even if we didn't beat all our opponents, he set us up so that we only rarely beat ourselves.
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