|
Jason Kreis has labeled rumours that he is leaving New York City FC for the Seattle Sounders as "ludicrous." At halftime of Wednesday's Montreal Impact and New York Red Bulls match, MSG broadcaster Shep Messing cited sources that said the first-year NYCFC coach would be swapping the east coast for the west next season. Kreis addressed the comments after NYCFC practice on Thursday afternoon and said he was as surprised as anyone when he heard what Messing had to say. "I was watching the game last night and it caught me completely by surprise," Kreis said. "I thought it was an absolutely ludicrous statement and unfounded. I have no knowledge of that information at all." Sigi Schmid also downplayed the comments on Thursday, saying, "I hear they were started by Shep Messing, so that's all I really need to say. "There's nothing I know about, so there's nothing I can tell you." The impetus for the move, according to Messing's sources, would be a reunion between Kreis and Seattle Sounders' president Garth Lagerwey. The two worked together at Real Salt Lake for seven years as coach and general manager, respectively, before moving on to their new roles in 2015. Messing also suggested that current Sounders coach Sigi Schmid would leave Seattle to fill the vacancy left by Kreis at NYCFC. The City Football Group, which owns NYCFC, Manchester City and Melbourne City FC, made numerous high-profile signings for Kreis ahead of the team's inaugural season including David Villa, Frank Lampard, Mix Diskerud and Andrea Pirlo. However, the team has struggled in its maiden campaign and is a longshot to make the MLS Cup playoffs. Despite the team's struggles, Kreis said he's still fully committed to the club going forward. "I think that this is a tremendous challenge that we've embarked on and I'm not ready to leave it," Kreis said. "If it's up to me, and maybe it won't be up to me, I'm going to stay here and fight."
|
