Earthquakes hire former Chivas boss Matias Almeyda as head coach

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The Earthquakes filled their month-old head coaching vacancy with an ambitious hire, tabbing former Chivas Guadalajara manager Matias Almeyda to lead the team in 2019. Interim head coach Steve Ralston will coach San Jose for the remaining two games of the 2018 season.

Almeyda won five trophies with Chivas, leading the Mexican giants back towards the top of the Liga MX table. Chivas won the Liga MX Clausura in 2017, the Copa MX twice, and the Supercopa MX once. The 44-year-old's three-year tenure with the club culminated with a CONCACAF Champions League title this past season, after Chivas beat MLS champions Toronto FC on penalties. 

The Earthquakes, meanwhile, are in the worst season in club history. With two games to go, the club sits last in the league table, 27 points out of a playoff spot. San Jose has not won a trophy since winning the MLS Supporters' Shield in 2012. 

Alemyda said Monday that he had options to manage elsewhere, but did not have the same feeling that he did about the Earthquakes.

"There's no ideal location or style in soccer," the 44-year-old said through a translator at his introductory press conference on Monday  (via ESPN). "I like to go places where there are good conditions, good options, good creativity, and seriousness in the project. That's why I'm here. To be honest, I had other opportunities to go other places but in none of them did I feel like I feel here. This is a new project, a new country, a new life for both me and my family. I feel very good about it, and we're excited."

Almeyda previously managed River Plate, leading the legendary Argentine club back to the top division in 18 months at the helm. He did the same in a little over two years at Banfield, and both teams remain in the Argentine Primera División.

A former defensive midfielder, Alemyda played for River Plate, Sevilla, Lazio, Parma, and Inter Milan in a 20-year career. He won three Argentine Primera División titles and a Copa Libertadores playing for River Plate, as well as a Serie A title with Lazio. Almeyda was also capped 35 time by the Argentine national team, winning a silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics. 

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