source: Danny Stone X
One of the best non-MLS sides in the United States now has a new manager.
After former Head Coach Juan Guerra left to join Ben Olsen’s staff on the Houston
Dynamo, Phoenix Rising FC has secured his replacement from within, elevating
assistant coach Danny Stone to the top job to lead the club into the future. In
recent years, the rising
popularity of Phoenix Rising FC has attracted many Arizona sportsbooks, and the team has quickly become a staple betting option in the state.
Below, we’ll go over three reasons why Danny Stones's appointment as head
soccer coach has the chance to find the perfect balance between continuity and
improvement for a Phoenix Rising team looking to defend their 2024 USL
championship.
1. He Knows How to Run an Academy
In the USL Championship, small transfer budgets are simply a fact of life, and
most good teams are going to need a strong academy system to fill out their
roster with quality options. Luckily,
Danny Stone has experience working in a high-
level youth academy under his belt already.
The 41-year-old Englishman started his coaching career as part of the Colorado
Rapids MLS academy, and his ability to grow and develop young players
eventually earned him a spot coaching with the senior team. Phoenix is the
largest metro area in the United States without an MLS team, and Stone could be
just the guy to take full advantage of this massive pool of potential young talent.
2. Earlier Area Connections
You can go back a whole lot farther than in 2021 to find Stones first connected to
the Phoenix area. Despite being born in Liverpool, the former Notts County and
Southport defender actually spent his high school years in Tempe at Corona del
Sol High School, after which he went on to play in the Blackburn Rovers youth
academy before enjoying a short stint in professional soccer.
It might not mean much on paper, but having someone who grew up in and
knows the area could be a huge help, especially when it comes to the
aforementioned youth system.
3. He’s Already Well-Liked
The #1 risk that comes with hiring a new manager for a club enjoying a run of
success is upsetting the established systems.
Phoenix Rising FC players and
schedule are already set for 2024, and the roster is built around former coach
Guerra’s vision. By hiring one of his top assistants, Rising FC are ensuring they’re
hiring someone who knows the roster and its strengths inside and out.
Plus, Guerra was known as a great man-manager who knew how to bring his
players together, something that Stone was apparently a big part of. Even under
Rick Schantz, Stone was well-liked by players and should have no problem
building a strong team culture, which is especially important at this level.
Overall, Danny Stone is a safe and reliable hire that makes a whole lot of sense for
a team looking to continue their strong form. He has area ties, strong connections
with the players already, and has experience developing youth in what could be a
soccer talent hotbed.