MLS Earthquakes name US assistant Gonzalez as coach

San Francisco (AFP) – US men’s national team assistant coach Luchi Gonzalez has been hired as the next coach of the San Jose Earthquakes — but he won’t take over until after the World Cup.

The Major League Soccer squad announced the move on Wednesday, saying current interim coach Alex Covelo will remain as manager through the end of the 2022 season.

Covelo took over in April after the Quakes parted ways with Argentine coach Matias Almeyda, who joined AEK Athens in May.

The Earthquakes, who haven’t gone past the first round of the playoffs since 2012, are 5-11 with 9 drawn this season, the third-worst mark in the 28-team league.

Gonzalez, a 42-year-old American, will join the Earthquakes following Team USA’s trip to the FIFA World Cup in December, a year after joining the national coaching staff.

“As excited as I am for this opportunity, I’m going to remain focused on helping the US national team be as successful as possible through the FIFA World Cup,” Gonzalez said. 

“I will be ready to give everything for San Jose once that journey is over.”

Gonzalez spent time with four MLS clubs as a player, starting his career with San Jose, and was coach of FC Dallas for three seasons. He guided the Texas team into the 2019 and 2020 playoffs before being fired last September.

“His strengths and desires align with our short and long-term goals as a club, and we look forward to him taking the reins after the World Cup,” San Jose general manager Chris Leitch said.