As Earl said yesterday, we’re doing the MLS preview a little differently this year, and our first article today is on the men on the bench, the new head coaches. &nbsp;This offseason five teams from various situations and needs hired new head coaches, all from very diverse backgrounds. &nbsp;MLS teams have been trending towards hiring former players, as a way to bring in league knowledge and experience to help their teams. &nbsp;Of the five coaches hired this offseason (not counting John Hackworth, who was given his gig full time), <del>only two</del>&nbsp;three played in MLS. &nbsp;Time will ultimately tell how successful these new hires will be, but that should not stop us from giving grades for the offseason hires.
Jose Luis Sanchez Sola (Chivas USA) –&nbsp;Chivas begins its Mexican overhaul by hiring a veteran coach of the Mexican leagues. &nbsp;Chelis saw some success in Mexico’s top flight and was popular with his players. &nbsp;If the cultural change of the club is successful, Chelis could be the perfect guy to lead Chivas USA out of its current morass into playoff contention. &nbsp;However, <del>the first</del> Mexican head coach <del>in MLS</del> is a rookie of this league and, that combined with having to totally make over a team in flux, means that unless ownership gives him a very long leash, this will be a tough job to handle. &nbsp;Who else, however, could do it?&nbsp;Grade: C-
Marco Schallibaum (Montreal Impact) –&nbsp;Another team adding some international flair to its staff to reflect its culture, the Swiss head coach takes his first job outside of Europe. &nbsp;A veteran manager who knows the kind of players Montreal loves to sign (think Southern European), this could be a good fit in terms of player relations. &nbsp;The mixed success of Schallibaum in Europe however is worrying, as is the fact that this is his first experience coaching in MLS. &nbsp;Also, since 2003, he has not coached the same team for more than one season (although that may be the fault of his fickle bosses). &nbsp;Here’s hoping he has a longer leash than Jesse Marsch. &nbsp;Grade B-
Mike Petke (New York Red Bull) –&nbsp;The ranks of former MLS players-turned-head-coaches grows with this surprise, and rather late, hire by New York. &nbsp;This hire to me was a lot like how New York’s rival handled their last coaching change; DC United also went to a long-time player and fan favorite to lead a revitalization. &nbsp;Petke has a ton of MLS experience (and MLS Cup winning experience) as well as some time overseas, so he has an ideal profile for an MLS job. &nbsp;He knows the franchise in and out, and in many ways is a perfect hire. &nbsp;However, the extended hiring process and the public knowledge that he was probably the third choice for the job undermines his authority some. &nbsp;Ultimately, he will be judged on how he handles the team’s superstars and if he wins an elusive trophy. &nbsp;Grade A- (although management gets a D+ for the hiring process)
Caleb Porter (Portland Timbers) –&nbsp;Recognizing that passionate fans can only take the team so far, Gavin Wilkinson hit the restart button and hired one of the up-and-coming coaching stars of U.S. soccer. &nbsp;Despite the failure to make the World Cup with the U-23s, Porter has a proven track record of working with younger players and has a good tactical mind. &nbsp;This is his first foray as a coach into professional soccer so how he manages at the next level (where his players actually are getting paid) will be interesting to see. &nbsp;However, it’s hard to see how Portland could have done much better than this hire. &nbsp;Grade A
Ryan Nelsen (Toronto FC) –&nbsp;Toronto always does things a little differently, but new boss Kevin Payne is bringing some old school MLS style north of the border. &nbsp;Former DC United player and experienced international Ryan Nelsen retires mid-season from QPR to come to Canada for his first head coaching job. &nbsp;Much like Montreal, Toronto needed a coach who has international ties to fit into a culturally diverse city. &nbsp;Nelsen attended college in the U.S., won an MLS Cup, and played with some of the best players in the world in the EPL. &nbsp;However, this is his first coaching stint at any level, so there will be a learning curve with a team that has seem quite some turmoil since its inception. &nbsp;Grade B+
How would you grade the new hires?

MLS '13 &#8211; Reviewing the Coaching Hires

MLS '13 - Reviewing the Coaching Hires - World Soccer Talk

MLS '13 – Reviewing the Coaching Hires

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MLS '13 – Reviewing the Coaching Hires