Pablo Mastroeni Receives Lifeline While Real Salt Lake Searches Again

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Fans of Real Salt Lake are experiencing raw emotions following the news that manager Freddy Juarez has departed the club for the Seattle Sounders where he will act as an Assistant Coach to Brian Schmetzer.

Given the current climate of Real Salt Lake and the uncertainty that awaits surrounding ownership, the decision for Juarez to leave actually makes a lot of sense.

Juarez was in the final year of his contract, the club did have an option for the 2022 season but all parties involved had agreed that contract talks would not take place until closer to the expiration date, according to RSL general manager Elliot Fall.

A Born Leader

The immediate future of the club lies with Pablo Mastroeni who will take over as manager on an interim basis. Mastroeni may be the answer the club has been searching for, he could take over the reins, reinvigorate the club and propel the organization into success both on and off the pitch.

Mastroeni is a character. He has experience being in charge. But most importantly, Mastroeni understands people.

BREAKING #RSL #DaleReal #MLS @realsaltlake and Head Coach Freddy Juarez have parted ways effective IMMEDIATELY.

Pablo Mastroeni will coach the team in Vancouver on an interim basis.

The search for a new Head Coach is already underway.

— Brian Dunseth (@BrianDunseth) August 27, 2021

As has always been the case, Mastroeni now is in control of his own future. If he takes control and asserts a winning culture at RSL immediately, he would effectively force the hand of Fall and the Front Office to hire him. If he does not provide the answers required, RSL will find a manager elsewhere.

Finding a manager elsewhere has been a long time coming.

Remarkable, RSL has never hired a full-time manager from outside the club with the only exception being the club’s inaugural manager John Ellinger.

Jason Kreis played for Ellinger, Cassar was Kreis’ goalkeeper coach, Mike Petke was Cassar’s first assistant and Freddy Juarez was Petke’s first assistant.

Given everything that the club has endured over the years, now seems like the perfect time to explore those options.

Potential Candidates

The search is on pic.twitter.com/vQn7dsbEB7

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 27, 2021

So, without going into detail on specific candidates, here is a shortlist of potential replacements that may provide the spark RSL is searching for.

• Jason Kreis: will always be a candidate for RSL given his history.
• Javier Morales: the Maestro has hinted at a return to Utah in the past…
• Kyle Beckerman: considers Mastroeni as his best friend and mentor.
• Steve Cooper: former Swansea manager with a terrific upside.
• Alex Neil: proven winner and fascinating candidate.
• Neil Harris: young, talented manager from England.

Next Match

RSL will travel to Vancouver this upcoming Sunday, August 29th, to take on the Whitecaps at BC Place.

Kickoff is slated for 8 p.m. and will be available to stream for free via the KSL Sports & KSL 5 TV apps or on KSL Sports dot com.

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