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Nowak Officially Introduced As Coach Of Union
The rumors became fact on Friday afternoon as Peter Nowak was formally introduced to the Philadelphia media at a press conference near the stadium site in Chester, Pa.
May 30, 2009 10:26:14 AM
Chester, PA- The first step was creating a team name and identity, the second step was getting a coach. For the newly named Philadelphia Union it didn’t take long for the latter to happen.
On Friday afternoon the team officially unveiled former U.S. Men’s Team Coach Peter Nowak as their first ever team manager.
"Peter possesses the competitiveness, passion and discipline necessary to build a club from scratch and compete for a championship from day one," said Philadelphia Union Chairman Jay Sugarman. "His extensive domestic and international scouting network, coupled with a deep understanding of the game from being a world-class player, will be invaluable for our club. We were determined to find an individual who is well respected in the global soccer community, understands the unique structure of MLS and, most importantly, has demonstrated the ability to win."
A native of Poland, Nowak has spent a significant amount of time in the U.S. first as a player on the Chicago Fire, where he won the MLS Cup in his first year with the team. Secondly, after five glorious seasons as a player in Chicago, Nowak became coach of DC United and led them to MLS Cup glory in his first season at the helm. He left DC in 2007 and has been with the USMNT ever since
This is his first stint with an expansion club though, and he realizes the challenges that presents. Moreover, he’s excited to get things started and to help make Philadelphia into an MLS powerhouse.
"I am extremely grateful for my time with U.S. Soccer, but the chance to join an organization that is in the process of defining its identity was an opportunity I could not turn down," said Nowak. "Our supporters are already notorious for their passion and it is our mission to put a team on the field that is worthy of their loyalty. Our responsibility is to build a club that leaves everything on the field and represents the Philadelphia region proudly."
With 10 months to create this team, Nowak has seven more months than Sigi Schmid had with Seattle, the league’s last expansion side. His approach to the game will be perfect for Philadelphia as well, given his tough, no games attitude.
Nowak began his 23-year professional playing career in his native Poland in 1979 when he was just 15 years old. After stops in Turkey and Switzerland, he moved to Germany and Dynamo Dresden before joining Bundesliga side FC Kaiserslautern in 1994. Transferring to 1860 Munich the following year, he earned Best Playmaker of the Year honors for the 1995-96 Bundesliga season.
Shane Evans, Goal.com
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