FC Cincinnati GM Jeff Berding wins his battle against John Harkes

In 1996, John Harkes was named “captain for life” by then-U.S. national team coach Steve Sampson. In 1998, he was dropped from the team under mysterious circumstances. Over the next decade, via published books, rumors and mutual slandering, salacious reasons appeared to underlie the separation between Sampson and his once-beloved pupil.

John Harkes. Credit: FC Cincinnati

Twenty years later, on the back of an incredible debut season as head coach of FC Cincinnati, Harkes seemed untouchable once more. Yet, last night (Feb. 17), merely weeks before FCC’s 2017 kickoff game against Sacramento Republic, and two days before a friendly against OKC Energy, Harkes was fired as head coach. He was replaced by Alan Koch. Yet again, the reasons behind the termination are puzzling.

Head coaches are usually fired for one of three reasons:

1. Poor on-field performances. This cannot be levied at Harkes, for FC Cincinnati finished in a very respectable third place in their debut season in the USL. Their style of play, under Harkes, was widely applauded by hardcore soccer supporters.

2. Poor relationship with players. This does not apply to Harkes either. Ostensibly, FCC players respected Harkes’ influence on and off the pitch.

3. Poor relationship with owner and/or GM. Ding ding ding. While Soc Takes does not know the nature of Harkes’ relationship with FCC’s owner, Carl Lindner III, Soc Takes has learned that Harkes’ relationship with general manager Jeff Berding has been confrontational and antagonistic for some time. A source close to the club confirmed that the relationship had been tenuous.

“Let’s just say that a man of John’s stature and experience presents unique difficulties,” the source told Soc Takes.

Individuals close to the story also revealed that Berding and Harkes consistently battled for power within the FCC structure. Seemingly, both Harkes and Berding felt the other was overstepping their roles and wading into unwelcome territory.

For example, at the NSCAA convention, Harkes seemingly asked the coaching/front office staff of other United Soccer League clubs if their respective presidents were involved in making player decisions. Harkes then shared his frustration at Berding’s overbearing and unwarranted recommendations about the quality of players, leaving Harkes frustrated at not being able to bring in specific players Harkes desired.

On the other hand, Berding was seemingly exasperated at learning that Harkes was trying to negotiate sponsorship deals on his own volition, without the knowledge or approval of FCC club officials. Sources intimated that during the early days of the club, Harkes had stated his displeasure with the club’s marketing policy and had decided to take matters into his own hands.

Trading pieces on the chess board can be unrepresentative of the reality of the game. Both players might feel that they have equal points, but, a better player will know whether or not he/she has a better control of the center of the board.

FCC GM Jeff Berding. Credit: FC Cincinnati

As a direct result of these sorts of power struggles, Berding made the decision to send Harkes a warning; by not rehiring assistant coach Ryan Martin. Sources suggested that this was a “message to Harkes about who is in charge.” Multiple sources revealed that Harkes was angered by the decision to not bring back Martin, whom he trusted. Martin’s replacement only further maligned Harkes’ position within the club.

Berding had taken control of the game by trading his bishop for Harkes’ queen. And, from this point on, there was really only going to be one winner.

The hiring of Alan Koch, someone with more coaching experience than Harkes himself, was, in hindsight, a clear move by Berding to have a replacement for Harkes at the club. Another contentious moment came due to Harkes’ decision to not permanently move to Cincinnati.

Berding had previously discussed the need for Harkes to move to the Ohio city, yet, Harkes returned to Virginia at the end of the season. A source close to the club claimed that this “lead to a confrontation.”

Alan Koch. Credit: FC Cincinnati

What remains unclear is whether there was a breaking point viz a viz a singular event over the last few days which exacerbated Harkes’ demise. A source suggested the firing was not a “snap judgement type of decision from the club.” This would suggest that the firing was just a result of cascading problems between Harkes and Berding.

FCC has lost the face of its club — a head coach popular with players and fans alike, and a head coach who played a style of football admired by soccer media. A maverick who wanted to do things his way. In Alan Koch, Berding will undoubtedly have someone who toes the line. It remains to be seen what the fans will have in Koch.

What is obvious, however, is that the writing was on the wall for Harkes’ departure.

While initially they traded equal pieces, Berding had slowly been using his two rooks to maneuver Harkes’ king into the corner of the chess board for months. February 17 was merely checkmate for Harkes.

As Harkes takes on his next head coach job somewhere, perhaps he will reexamine his aggressive openings and stay away from gambits.

Koch begins his FC Cincy career on the (Sicilian) defense.

Berding, meanwhile, just played e2-e4 in the new era of FCC.

Koch will now lead FCC into its second season in the USL.

You can follow Nipun on Twitter at @NipunChopra7.