The first question Teemu Pukki was asked at the MLS media event on Thursday in Miami was not a softball, but rather the most-pressing query surrounding the club.
How does the Minnesota United striker feel about the unsettled head coaching position at the club?
“Obviously, not the best situation,” the Finn forward said, noting preseason preparations begin Saturday in Blaine. “… Hopefully, we get everything sorted out fast.”
But things have been developing slowly. Longtime MNUFC manager Adrian Heath was fired in October; he helped bring Pukki to Minnesota from Norwich City in England last July.
The club said Dec. 5 that interim head coach Sean McAuley, who led the Loons in the final two games of 2023 season, would remain in that role for the start of 2024.
Then on Jan. 5, the club said McAuley was leaving the club (he was hired full time at USL club Indy Eleven) and former MNUFC2 head coach Cameron Knowles would take over as interim head coach.
This odd situation resulted in Pukki facing a follow-up question on the subject, in regards to how the team is reacting.
“A massive thing to have … on control,” Pukki said of no permanent head coach. “I haven’t seen any of the players, so I don’t know what’s the feeling around the team. Obviously, it’s important to find out who will be the (head coach) and start working. There is still time before the games start. Hopefully it will get sorted soon and we’ll be ready when the real games start.”
New Chief Soccer Officer Khaled El-Ahmad, who was hired Nov. 8, is on the clock to produce a permanent head coaching hire. It’s unclear if that will be accomplished in time before the Feb. 24 season opener at Austin FC.
The majority of questions lobbed at Pukki focused on his game.
In his first year in MLS, the 33-year-old had one goal across his first five games, but got into a flow and scored 10 goals in 1,031 minutes, including a four-goal outburst against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Oct. 7.
He was asked about possible misconceptions between playing in Europe and MLS.
“The biggest thing was the atmosphere in games,” Pukki said. “There were a quite many games where it’s sold out and the fans had a good atmosphere in (MLS) games. I did not expect that. I was positively surprised by that.
“I would say they are better players also,” he continued, “I think tactically it’s different kind of football than it is in Europe, but there are some teams that are tactically really good. I’ve been positively surprised by the level as well.
“I can see the league growing all the time, so I would guess in a couple more years, it’s going to be a big league in the world.”
Then an English reporter asked Pukki to compare MLS to The Championship, the second tier in England. Those two leagues are often pitted against one another.
“It’s so hard to compare leagues; I always find it really difficult,” said Pukki, a veteran who has also played in Finland, Spain, Germany, Denmark and Scotland. “The football is a bit different over here than it is over there (in England). … I can’t say which one is better, which one is worse. It’s a bit different. Both of them have good things in them.”
Pukki, a key piece of the Finland national team, was asked about the rigors of travel from the U.S. to Europe for duties with his country. He said he doesn’t mind it, especially if it’s direct trips from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to Helsinki.
“I had a trip from San Jose (Calif.) to Kazakhstan (in October). I would say that is hard,” Pukki said.
Pukki will be expected to be making a relatively easier trip from MSP to Cardiff, Wales, for a UEFA European Championships qualifier in March.
Let’s see if reporters covering the Finnish national team ask him about his club’s coaching situation at that time, too.
Monthly but not routine
Recap of Minnesota United’s leadership changes:
Oct. 6
Fire manager Adrian Heath with two games left in his seventh season at MNUFC; elevate assistant coach Sean McAuley to interim head coach.
Nov. 8
Hire Khaled El-Ahmad as the club’s new Chief Soccer Officer, but his start date is delayed by duties with his previous job at Barnsley in England.
Dec. 5
Announce McAuley will continue in his role as interim head coach going into the 2024 MLS season, indicating no permanent head coach will come aboard going into the new season.
Jan. 5
Announce McAuley will leave Loons to pursue other opportunities; elevate MNUFC2 head coach Cameron Knowles to lead the MLS side one week before preseason training starts.
