Mehdi Ballouchy [Midfielder]
- Thread starter einwindir
- Start date
So...this was a thing? Huh. Never knew.
future nycfc 1st team manager ?
Highly doubtful if Matt Pilkington is still with the org. He’s the top Academy coach and holds every USSoccer coaching badge in addition to the FA badge. He’s got way more experience than Mehdi.
The 10 year stuff has me thinking about Mehdi. He retired after the 2016 season. He rejoined in summer of 2017 as U15 coach, and became first team assistant coach after Ronny was hired before the 2020 season. This is his sixth season in that position and Jansen is his third head coach.
So what's the long term plan, both from his POV and the organization?
Club POV: they're probably very happy with the status quo. Ballouchy must be doing his job well, or they wouldn't keep him. He's a source of stability on a team that has never had a head coach last 3 full years. And maybe he's a potential HC in waiting, though there has not been a hint that he was even considered or interviewed after Deila or Cushing.
Mehdi POV: If he has ambitions to be a head coach, isn't it about time he does that at a senior level, even if at the cost of a league downgrade? Has he gotten assurances from NYCFC to move up, eventually? If so, does he really believe the assurances are worth anything? I don't remember seeing that he's put himself out as a candidate for other MLS, USL, or really any other jobs. Some people are happy to find their niche and an environment where they thrive and are appreciated. But most people coaching at the top level want to advance.
So what's the plan? Not that I think anyone here knows. But I wonder.
So what's the long term plan, both from his POV and the organization?
Club POV: they're probably very happy with the status quo. Ballouchy must be doing his job well, or they wouldn't keep him. He's a source of stability on a team that has never had a head coach last 3 full years. And maybe he's a potential HC in waiting, though there has not been a hint that he was even considered or interviewed after Deila or Cushing.
Mehdi POV: If he has ambitions to be a head coach, isn't it about time he does that at a senior level, even if at the cost of a league downgrade? Has he gotten assurances from NYCFC to move up, eventually? If so, does he really believe the assurances are worth anything? I don't remember seeing that he's put himself out as a candidate for other MLS, USL, or really any other jobs. Some people are happy to find their niche and an environment where they thrive and are appreciated. But most people coaching at the top level want to advance.
So what's the plan? Not that I think anyone here knows. But I wonder.
I can imagine him being an interim head coach after Jansen leaves and if he proves himself well then could win the top job. But there’s also a chance he really likes what he’s doing and makes good enough money to enjoy his life. If he’s content and the club is content perhaps this is the situation that works best for everyone. But I agree I see him in the near-ish term future moving on to bigger things. Especially after the Messi situation I think Mehdi is a really mature and supportive member of the staff for his players and I like to see it.
ZYanksRule
Registered
Assistant coaches can stay at a team far longer than head coaches. Once you become a head coach, your clock is ticking. Maybe he's happy here and doesn't need the headaches a head coach deals with and doesn't want to inevitably be fired, which is where every head coach ends up unless they resign.
Also, there’s the rarely considered element with people in professional sports - family. Do we know if he has kids, how old they are? He’s 41 years old. If kids, it’s not crazy for him to want to see them through high school in NY. Anyone know the family situation?
