Gerard Nijkamp knows the statistics when it comes to the popularity and success of the Major League Soccer-born head coaches, technical directors and general managers.
As a native Dutchman, Nijkamp has found it a challenge not only to succeed at FC Cincinnati, where he works as general manager, but also to be one of the few men born in Europe to follow the rules and restrictions on the salary cap of the first division division the United States and Canada.
Nijkamp does this, he says, because he is ambitious and wants to look back on his time at the club because he knows that he has made a positive contribution to a new project.
Two upcoming tasks – decisions about the expiring loan periods for Jürgen Locadia and Franko Kovacevic – are high-profile decisions that Nijkamp will make in the coming weeks.
These decisions will have a significant impact on the 2021 season and guide the club’s maneuvers in the FIFA summer transfer window.
Nijkamp described FC Cincinnati’s decision-making process regarding the expiring loan deals as lengthy, as both players have three games left to possibly make one final argument on the field.
Both players also seem to be facing tough battles to stay with FCC.
Locadia, on loan from the English Premier League by Brighton & Hove Albion since preseason 2020, will not have exercised the option to purchase its loan, Nijkamp said during an interview on Thursday.
“I spoke to Brighton last week when I was there, of course,” said Nijkamp. “We will not exercise his option. That is clear, but the door is still a bit open if there are other options on our part to consider keeping Jürgen.”
Locadia’s loan from FC Cincinnati has largely disappointed, even if he remained popular with some fans. He scored only three times in all competitions for Cincinnati over 23 appearances.
Locadia also ties up significant resources through his $ 2.5 million salary, designated player status, and the international squad spot he occupies.
Nevertheless, his recent performances before the now completed international break were positive and gave hope that Locadia could stay at the TQL stadium.
When asked about Locadia’s recent appearances, including a goal in a May 22 game against CF Montreal, added Nijkamp: “That is why I keep the door a little open and hope that my finances find a way.”
As for Kovacevic, he was likely out the door with FC Cincinnati after moving from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim to the German Bundesliga, a club with which the FCC has a strategic partnership.
Kovacevic has only played once for FCC and appeared in the 2020 regular season final. He struggled with injury concerns this year and was likely to have returned to Hoffenheim Winger Calvin Harris was successfully operated on on Wednesday.
Harris is expected to be absent for six to eight weeks, which has opened a senior management position and an international management position. These positions were filled by Kovacevic, which gave him the clearances necessary to play for the FCC.
“I think my decision to send Franko back was already made, but now we can give Franko three more games a chance to show himself,” said Nijkamp. “That is always the decision of the head coach, but whether he will be on the squad on Saturday, whether Jaap (Stam) wants to give him playing time, but now has these opportunities, which was not possible before when Calvin was still on the roster … I hope it blows everyone because that makes my life easier. “
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Locadia and Kovacevic have three games left before the loan contracts expire on June 30th.
Cincinnati FC host the Colorado Rapids on Saturday before heading to Chicago Fire FC on Wednesday and ending next week with a game against Toronto FC in Orlando on June 26th.
Regarding Locadia’s situation, Nijkamp conceded that given the rapid succession of remaining games within the loan period, the window of opportunity was not in the player’s favor.
“The door is not 100 percent closed, but I think it will be difficult too,” Nijkamp said of Locadia.
Nijkamp said Locadia, who last spoke to media representatives after the Montreal game, and Locadia’s advisors understand the situation.
“If Jürgen scored 10 goals, 12 goals, then (it would be) very difficult for him to understand why we are still debating whether Jürgen will stay or not, but that is not the case,” said Nijkamp.
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