Thomas Niendorf leaves Caps

[tmcmurph]

http://www.whitecapsfc.com/archive/feature02251001.aspx

Residency leader and the Caps part ways. Very little else said in the article.

[jpg75]

Ouch. Not good news.

[tovan1]

might this have something to do with Whitecaps and MLS not seeing eye-to-eye on the Academy rules?

[Tuscan]

Is this really such a horrible thing? Surely the Caps will be able to bring in someone else of his ilk who will be able to keep the current level of the Residency, if not perhaps introduce new elements to it that could improve it. Sometimes change like this can offer positive surprises. I hope they bring someone in with a Spanish influence.

[Richard]

might this have something to do with Whitecaps and MLS not seeing eye-to-eye on the Academy rules?

Marc Weber in The Province today says: "While Niendorf proved successful in coaching the under-19 team to impressive victories over major international youth sides, and in grooming players for loan spells in Germany where he has deep connections, there seemed to be a disconnect between the residency program and the first team." Philosophical differences in playing style... maybe. More likely to be the MLS issue as you suggest I think, or both.

[Ed]

Best of luck to Thomas. It's quite clear he was doing a good job developing talent for the organization. The CSA should be looking at this as an opportunity.

[Mr.Impact]

Marc Weber in The Province today says: "While Niendorf proved successful in coaching the under-19 team to impressive victories over major international youth sides, and in grooming players for loan spells in Germany where he has deep connections, there seemed to be a disconnect between the residency program and the first team." Philosophical differences in playing style... maybe. More likely to be the MLS issue as you suggest I think, or both.

Looks like Weber is pissed off cause not enough residency players made their way to Great Britain or MLS, which is hog wash, as far as I'm concerned. Neindorf has a proven track record of developing players, who move on to " bigger and better things". I beieve he was involved with Owen ********** development out of Calgary, and went on to develop other players for Canadian Football.

[ag futbol]

Surely, we must at be the point where someone like Niendorf can potentially find another spot in Canadian football. Maybe with the new Edmonton team or elsewhere. While the caps have the most money behind their programs, his results still seemed to be ahead of expectations in every measure except getting players to the caps first team, which can at least be partially explained by their willingness to let guys go abroad (which isn't a bad thing) if MLS was already here i think a few more would have stuck around.

The explanation of "we want to play more direct football" from the article... god I hope not.

[jpg75]

^ No kidding, talk about going backwards.

"Niendorf, hired in May 2007, preaches the technical side of the game and wants players to be able to play in multiple systems. Teitur Thordarson, the current first team head coach, has a more direct style and plays far more through the flanks."

C'mon TFC, hire Neindorf as TD of the Academy...

[masster]

The Whitecaps took trips and established relationships with clubs in Germany. They have sent so many young Canadians there on loan. I believe this was all done through Niendorf's connections. I hope these relationships can continue now that Niendorf is gone. I don't want to see young Canadian players hurt because caoches and management can't get along.