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Goal.com Special: Red Bulls Coach Backe Plans To Build Winning Team With Henry's Help
Coach glad ownership pulled off the coup of Henry's capture.
Jul 16, 2010 2:41:00 AM
By Alex Labidou
Among beat reporters who consistently follow the New York Red Bulls, head coach Hans Backe is a revered figure. He is always thoughtful in his responses and almost never shys away from an honest answer (except for possible incoming designated players), Backe’s insight is valuable.
Hence, it is no surprise when the 59-year old Swedish coach was finally allowed to give his insights on the Red Bulls long awaited move to sign star striker Thierry Henry, Backe had some very interesting things to say.
Since he has long been considered to be one of the top assistant managers in the world, Backe could have had plenty of decent coaching opportunities throughout Europe. Yet he decided to take on the challenge of building a soccer team in the USA into both a contender and a marketing success as well. Backe admitted at Henry’s introductory conference that having a strong ownership group that allows him to consistently acquire star talents like his latest addition was a huge factor in joining the franchise.
“I would say the possibility of this club to sign that type of player was one thing that was very powerful for me,” said Backe. “It’s obviously a great opportunity.”
There is a very inconsistent timeline in regards to when Henry was approached by the Red Bulls to join and when he actually made his decision. The 32-year old striker said that his decision to join the franchise was made four to five months ago. Backe acknowledged yesterday at the press conference that negiotations started a year ago, but Red Bulls Salzburg sporting director Dietmar Beiersdorfer says that the club has been in the hunt for the forward for over two years.
Despite Henry’s thanking of Barcelona for their help in releasing the forward from his contract, Beiersdorfer admits that at times, negotiations with the Catalan based club was very difficult.
“No,” said Beiersdorfer when asked if it was simple task to get Henry out of his contract. “We had several talks via video conference. It wasn’t too easy.”
He added, “There were other European teams that were interested. With clubs when you have offers from other clubs, you try to get the best offer.”
After Henry’s intentions to play in New York were pretty evident, Beiersdorfer admitted that Barcelona became more amicable in deciding to let go of Henry.
“Thierry made it very clear that he wanted to play in New York,” said Beiersdorfer. “In the end, they gave us a hand.”
The Red Bulls organization took a lot of criticism for stalling out the inevitable announcement of their signature of Henry but Backe explained that the contract aspect of the players arrival in New York was only finalized very recently.
“You can’t confirm anything until the player has signed,” said Backe. “If the player has a brilliant World Cup, maybe some of the Arab countries might move in with an offer of a lot of money and then the player signs for them. “
Now that Backe has a superstar weapon to add to his lethal veteran striker in Juan Pablo Angel, the coach believes that the two are ideal for each other. He envisions Angel playing more centrally where as Henry will be free to veer both right and left in his attack. Backe has often been stuck with a mismatch up top as Angel, Salou Ibrahim and Macoumba Kandji are very similar to each other and the previous pairing led to a lack of creativity up front.
With the transfer window wide open, the Red Bulls suddenly have a surplus at forward after struggling with injuries at the position throughout the first half of the season. In addition to Henry, Angel, Ibrahim, Kandji, the team also has 22-year old rookie Connor Chin, 19-year old prospect Juan Agudelo and 33-years young wily old vet John Wolyniec. Team GM Erik Soler has said that his focus is currently on the team’s possible third DP signature and said that trading one of the team’s forwards isn’t necessarily a priority.
Backe, however, is open to moving at least one of the forwards on the roster. He is happy with the team’s depth in the position and even envisions Kandji playing a wide position but has also acknowledged that the team needs creative options in the midfield.
It should be interesting to see what Backe’s reaction will be when he gets his wish.
Alex Labidou, a Goal.com contributor, is based in New York. He can be reached at AlexLabidou@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @SportsLab.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's
Facebook fan page!
Hence, it is no surprise when the 59-year old Swedish coach was finally allowed to give his insights on the Red Bulls long awaited move to sign star striker Thierry Henry, Backe had some very interesting things to say.
Since he has long been considered to be one of the top assistant managers in the world, Backe could have had plenty of decent coaching opportunities throughout Europe. Yet he decided to take on the challenge of building a soccer team in the USA into both a contender and a marketing success as well. Backe admitted at Henry’s introductory conference that having a strong ownership group that allows him to consistently acquire star talents like his latest addition was a huge factor in joining the franchise.
“I would say the possibility of this club to sign that type of player was one thing that was very powerful for me,” said Backe. “It’s obviously a great opportunity.”
There is a very inconsistent timeline in regards to when Henry was approached by the Red Bulls to join and when he actually made his decision. The 32-year old striker said that his decision to join the franchise was made four to five months ago. Backe acknowledged yesterday at the press conference that negiotations started a year ago, but Red Bulls Salzburg sporting director Dietmar Beiersdorfer says that the club has been in the hunt for the forward for over two years.
Despite Henry’s thanking of Barcelona for their help in releasing the forward from his contract, Beiersdorfer admits that at times, negotiations with the Catalan based club was very difficult.
“No,” said Beiersdorfer when asked if it was simple task to get Henry out of his contract. “We had several talks via video conference. It wasn’t too easy.”
He added, “There were other European teams that were interested. With clubs when you have offers from other clubs, you try to get the best offer.”
After Henry’s intentions to play in New York were pretty evident, Beiersdorfer admitted that Barcelona became more amicable in deciding to let go of Henry.
“Thierry made it very clear that he wanted to play in New York,” said Beiersdorfer. “In the end, they gave us a hand.”
The Red Bulls organization took a lot of criticism for stalling out the inevitable announcement of their signature of Henry but Backe explained that the contract aspect of the players arrival in New York was only finalized very recently.
“You can’t confirm anything until the player has signed,” said Backe. “If the player has a brilliant World Cup, maybe some of the Arab countries might move in with an offer of a lot of money and then the player signs for them. “
Now that Backe has a superstar weapon to add to his lethal veteran striker in Juan Pablo Angel, the coach believes that the two are ideal for each other. He envisions Angel playing more centrally where as Henry will be free to veer both right and left in his attack. Backe has often been stuck with a mismatch up top as Angel, Salou Ibrahim and Macoumba Kandji are very similar to each other and the previous pairing led to a lack of creativity up front.
With the transfer window wide open, the Red Bulls suddenly have a surplus at forward after struggling with injuries at the position throughout the first half of the season. In addition to Henry, Angel, Ibrahim, Kandji, the team also has 22-year old rookie Connor Chin, 19-year old prospect Juan Agudelo and 33-years young wily old vet John Wolyniec. Team GM Erik Soler has said that his focus is currently on the team’s possible third DP signature and said that trading one of the team’s forwards isn’t necessarily a priority.
Backe, however, is open to moving at least one of the forwards on the roster. He is happy with the team’s depth in the position and even envisions Kandji playing a wide position but has also acknowledged that the team needs creative options in the midfield.
It should be interesting to see what Backe’s reaction will be when he gets his wish.
Alex Labidou, a Goal.com contributor, is based in New York. He can be reached at AlexLabidou@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @SportsLab.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's
Facebook fan page!
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