The idea that Rapids coach Oscar Pareja could leave Colorado for an open coaching job at FC Dallas surfaced again this week after a report said the Texas team revived its efforts to steal him away.
Pareja in early November, , said that he had not talked to them and would not in the future.
“I have not talked about it,” Pareja said then. “I signed for something and I’m working under that. And it is what it is.”
But , citing “multiple sources,” said that Dallas is trying again to hire Pareja. The report said that those sources indicated Pareja is open to a discussion with Dallas and that the Rapids front office is aware there is a possibility he could leave.
“We do not comment on other team’s coaching searches, and our conversations with other teams regarding our players or staff will always remain private,” the Rapids said in a statement to The Denver Post. “As for Oscar Pareja, he is under contract at the Rapids through 2015.”
In November, Rapids president Tim Hinchey , denying them an interview request.
“He’s our man. It’s the first time I’ve done it. But I respectfully declined their request,” Hinchey said. “And I’m prepared to do that as long as we’re all together and making this progress. And I don’t see that changing.”
Hinchey added in November: “I don’t care who else calls, I’m going to turn them down too.”
Pareja, too, said a month ago that .
“We have to think about what is the future of this club, what is the future of this group,” Pareja said. “And everything. At this time, you have to put everything on the table. And the project (in Colorado) is a big factor for me.”
FC Dallas’ technical director, Fernando Clavijo, that he had narrowed down their list of coaching candidates from 8-10 to three. One of the three finalists is Hoops assistant coach Marco Ferruzzi.
“We have not offered anybody anything yet,” Clavijo said. “I think they are soccer people, well known by everybody. I don’t think it will be a surprise. The idea is just to get the best one for Dallas.”
Pareja was a long-time player at Dallas and an assistant coach there. He was hired by Colorado in 2012, from Dallas, and led a youth-focused turnaround for the Rapids that netted them a playoff berth last season, .
Nick Groke: ngroke@denverpost.com, 303-954-1015 or
