MLS
Mikey Varas in line to become San Diego FC’s first head coach
The former United States Under-20 team coach is set to take on a new challenge to become the first coach in the history of the San Diego franchise.
San Diego FC are finalizing details for the franchise to make its MLS debut in 2025 season. The team from Southern California has already begun to take important steps, such as bringing in Mexican forward Hirving Chucky Lozano, as its first major signing for their debut campaign.
San Diego to become the 30th team in MLS
One of San Diego’s main objectives has been to find the right profile of coach to guide the team. They are looking for someone who perfectly adapts to the team’s needs as well as the team’s sports management expectations.
According to MLS journalist Tom Bogert and Give Me Sport, San Diego FC has opted for Mikey Varas. The 44-year-old has held numerous coaching positions since starting his managerial career at the Sacramento Republic academy in 2016. Bogert reports that negotiations are in progress.
Varas spent almost two years as coach of the United States Under-20 team, and more recently has been working as an assistant for the USMNT.
Other coaches in the frame for the San Diego job
The news has caused a stir in San Diego, where it was recently mentioned that former Mexico coach Jaime Lozano was one of the options that the management of this new franchise in the MLS was considering, however everything points to the American being the one to take the reins.
According to reports, San Diego and Varas have engaged in talks in recent days, although they are still far from reaching an agreement. However, the talks between both parties are going well and everything points to Varas being the first coach in the history of the border team.
Varas, a coach in demand today
Varas has no previous experience as a head coach at club level, although he is no stranger to MLS, having recently served as a technical assistant at FC Dallas.
With Mauricio Pochettino’s imminent arrival to take up the vacant USMNT post, but with the low probability that he will be present for the matches of the next FIFA date in September, US Soccer and the USMNT are targeting an interim coach and the man they have in mind is Mikey Varas.
According to The Athletic, talks between Varas and the USMNT have progressed and the former assistant coach to Gregg Berhalter is on track to take the reins of the team until Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival at the helm is finalized.