Real Salt Lake To Begin In-Person Interviews As Managerial Search Progresses

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Enough is enough. Real Salt Lake is in the midst of making the most important decision of its 16-year existence when it appoints a new manager following the shocking departure of Freddy Juarez.

In-Person Interviews Incoming

This week, the club will begin to conduct in-person interviews, and the man in charge of making the decision will be General Manager Elliot Fall.

The importance of the decision is exaggerated following years of turmoil, scandal, and disappointment. The club was once a proud, strong, and formidable member of Major League Soccer, now, however, it’s frequently known as the example not to be.

Real Salt Lake forever changed following the ownership takeover in January of 2013 when Dell Loy Hansen took over sole ownership of the club from inaugural owner Dave Checketts.

The Recent Downfall

Hansen’s tenure at Real Salt Lake was filled with frugality and morose. His ownership created an unhappy workplace environment that caused chaos both on and off the pitch.

His tenure reached a boiling point when he made racist remarks on a local radio station following the decision by both the Real Salt Lake and LAFC players to boycott a game in the wake of a police shooting involving Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Real Salt Lake and LAFC joined a long list of sporting organizations that opted out of participating in their respective leagues during that time. Although, Hansen’s inability to keep his mouth shut and find solace cost him the continued chance to run the day-t0-day operations of Real Salt Lake. He was ultimately forced to sell the club following an investigation conducted by the league. Utah rejoiced.

A Change In Culture

Nonetheless, here we are again. The club finds itself in search of a new manager with just 13 regular-season games remaining in the 2021 season after Freddy Juarez unexpectedly quit late last week in a decision that rocked the soccer world of MLS.

"Until you win at the human level tactics don't make a difference."#VANvRSL | @AFCU pic.twitter.com/OMrh33mk3X

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 30, 2021

Real Salt Lake must find a new candidate that understands people, first and foremost. The employees of Real Salt Lake deserve better than how they have been treated over the past decade.

Under Juarez’s guidance, Real Salt Lake looked to have been turning a corner. He had the team playing well enough to hold a playoff position and the fans were starting to find excitement in attending Rio Tinto Stadium again.

Win Today, Not Tomorrow

The front office has put together a very talented roster with players that are recognized, such as Bobby Wood, who joined the team earlier this year after spending his entire professional career in Germany while also representing the US on the international stage.

A lot of good work has been done since the departure of Hansen. The club is making progress towards forging a better relationship between itself and the Utah community.

But now is the perfect time for Real Salt Lake to further its progress by appointing a manager who will revolutionize the way the people of Utah view Real Salt Lake.

They need a manager who is transparent, direct, and personable. Someone who has character, who leads by example, and whose first priority is always his or her players. Real Salt Lake needs leadership.

Winning games in Major League Soccer has never been harder, it is a constant challenge. Those difficulties can have a profound effect on the personalities that call Real Salt Lake home.

Creating a winning environment takes time and patience. Which makes the decision that much more challenging as the current roster is set up to win today.

We're coming home y'all! 🤠

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 31, 2021

Most Important Decision In Club History

If the club makes the wrong decision they could set themselves back years, furthering the gap between them and the crop of winning cultures in the league. But by making the right move and appointing the best person for the job, they could quickly assert themselves as an MLS Cup contender.

The time is now. Real Salt Lake’s immediate future lies solely in the managerial vacancy.

The importance of the decision must not be overlooked. It is the single most important decision this club has ever made, and so it only seems fitting that a 35-year-old man who began his professional career interning for the club he currently acts as General Manager will make that decision.

No pressure, Mr. Fall. This one is on you.