The short term coach of FC Cincinnati is gone, last week while as he claimed singing along to a song used the "N word". Last season it is reported he made an insensitive remark on slavery. Know when to say when, know not to use the "N word", never. The team did an investigation, as did the players association. Team President Jeff Berding stated "As Major League Soccer's investigation unfolded and some themes emerged, Ron offered his resignation." This leads me to think there were other issues as well that came up. I do not know Ron, will not ask any of his players about this. It was confirmed during the press conference that it was not just the lyrics of a song.
Jeff Berding from the presser, Initlal feedback from Ron on Friday, had his version of context. Players in Bradenton interview's brought out broader themes and more experiences and those in the locker room took it different than others. They now have a fuller appreciation from the players, which is why he is no longer with us. The incidents go back to last season.
GM Gerard Mijkamp was whispered to by the Pres. then he spoke. This morning we told the players he is gone, Hunter Freeman, the Head Scout and ex-NY Cosmos player is now an asst. coach. We have to perfrom in 2 weeks we have our first game with NYRB, it will be hard to be fresh. Searching for a new HC is also important not just for a quality one on pitch but also to help off it. He was asked as he knew the coach for years did he foresee this, Ron is very open and honest, wants to connect with people around him. In Europe, the Netherlands you know your audience and makes it easy to not think of what your doing and the context in this country in the locker room, outside on the pitch is different than if you do it in our environemnt in the Netherlands, I am surprised, it is about context but agree that we cannot accept these kind of things.
Berding when asked if without MLSPA involvment would the narrative be that he was just clumsy with his words, otherwise a good guy, Jeff stated yes. They let owners and staff know there was more to it than first told.
Gerard on what message is for the fans, he said we need to talk and we now have new interm coaches, trying to bring all together.
Jeff was asked of the damage to the brand. We got a call, let the league know lets investigate, Ron removed, for a better place for players to talk, 3 days later he is gone, there is no place (3x) for racial intolerance insensitivity, no place. This is inconsistent and due to it Ron is no longer the head coach, I think these actions send a message
Gerard asked on a new HC. Same as last summer, do not rush or be quick, be professional in the process get the profile, on and more vital off the pitch. The coaching staff is working with the roster we have confidence and that they see familiar people on staff, including Hunter Freeman.
Jeff when asked that your new home will be in the West side, predominatly black, other than words how will you help this. Add to our cultural awarenees, our Foundation is doing a lot in the west end, West End Pride etc. Residents are now working on the new stadium, and do more tangible steps to improve.
When asked how they blew it so badly with a most important decision as this coach, Pres & GM exchanged looks on this one. Gerard took the question. I do not think we blew it, with Ron we did our professional research, took our time developed a profile and he fit it. At times there are surprises, with personnel, but we did not know this with Ron, you never know if it is a 100% fit with a club. No promise that our new coach will touch 100% of the boxes on what is important with the club.
The issue here is, how big of a deal is it, if it is the second thing brought to his attention it is of course worse. The N word is possibly the worst word in the language for me. What to do, well one can now censor all music played in a locker room tied to the MLSPA, as that form of art when sung along to is of course bad, so then just to hear whoever the artist is sing it is also bad and the coach and staff allowing it to play is a from of approval. But then again it is art? If I know a song comes on that glorifies drugs, it is turned off, yes now even Puff the Magic Dragon, a staple of my childhood, pixie dust oh no. It is a very sensitive subject, best to not use such words at anytime, is it then best not to hear them as well even in music? It was confirmed that it was more than just once that he did thing.
The MLSPA in their statement refutes that it had anything to do with words in a song, and intimate that the team was involved inleaks and misinformation, that they took part in manipulation and intimidation, abuse of players with the hope that FC Cincinnati will deal with it properly. A totally different temper from the press conference of the team.