In a surprising move, FC Cincinnati head coach Ron Jans has resigned amidst allegations of using a racial slur. Yoann Damet will fill in on an interim basis while the club looks for another permanent head coach. Including Damet, the next head coach will be the fourth in less than a year for the team after just one campaign in Major League Soccer.
Jans had been the head coach for only 197 days before his resignation, but it still was not a good start for FC Cincinnati as the 2020 season is only a week and a half away. Jans might have been the "short-term" solution as head coach as his contract was up after the end of 2020 (though it would have been re-evaluated at the end of the season), but now having to re-prepare for the season in just less than two weeks will make things difficult for the club for the 2020 campaign.
Jans had claimed that he said the slur in the locker room singing along to a song that had the slur in it's lyrics, but the Major League Soccer Players Association, who conducted an investigation behind the allegations, discovered that there was a lot more to the matter that was deemed "unacceptable" as there was a "pattern of conduct" that "fell far short of acceptable standards, and created an untenable and unfair working environment" for the players on the squad. The report seemed to find there was something much deeper than what Jans had lead on as the environment in the clubhouse was toxic and there was abuse on the players.
FC Cincinnati President Jeff Berding had this to say about the situation:
“As Major League Soccer’s investigation unfolded and some themes emerged, Ron offered his resignation and we agreed that it was the best course of action for everyone involved with FC Cincinnati. We place the utmost importance on a strong culture within our club, beginning in our locker room, and that every person connected with FC Cincinnati feels valued, respected and trusted. Racial and cultural diversity is a major part of what makes the game of soccer so special, and we place the highest priority on respecting every person involved in our game. This includes absolutely everyone associated with our club, from our locker room and front office, all the way through to our fans.”
Berding also said: "The findings concluded this was not a single incident but included broader themes that were insensitive and inappropriate." That is not a good look for the club, but they will do their best to repair the situation. The problem here is whether this was a single person causing the toxic environment or whether there is more than just the Jans situation.
Another big problem with Jans' departure will be what will happen on the field. Jans had the entire offseason to develop a game plan and establish a style of play. With that in mind, general manager Gerard Nijkamp had built a team around Jans' system getting players who fit into it well. Nijkamp had built up depth in the backline and brought in more scoring threats in the forwards, but will the new coach play into that system? What happens with the new acquisitions? Will they fit into the new head coach's style of play? So many questions and the season is so close to starting. Only time will tell.
Comments